Martinez, who grew up in nearby Puerto Plata, the main city in the province of the same name, said he has known Taveras since they were adolescents. They grew up together, in baseball, on baseball fields. Taveras signed with the Cardinals in 2008, before Martinez could, but Martinez had a swifter ascent to the majors. The 23-year-old pitcher made his debut in May 2013, a year before Taveras, and it was Martinez who offered advice to Taveras as he neared and then reached the majors.

Taveras, the agent said, was drawn to a more reckless style of living when away from the ballpark. Not with substances, but with cars and crowds. Agent Brian Mejia called Taveras and Martinez “running mates” many times, but added that at times Taveras was the one to run “with a faster life.”

“We talked like brothers and we shared ideas like brothers,” Martinez said. “I’d tell him about being in the big leagues and acting like a professional all the time, but it didn’t stick. He would listen to the advice. He just wouldn’t take it into practice. People knew that and it ended tragically.”

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