HOUSTON – The Houston Astros joined the world in remembering the lives of former Astros players Luis Valbuena and Jose Castillo on Friday.
Valbuena and Castillo were killed on Thursday in a car crash in Venezuela when the players’ vehicle veered off a road.
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Valbuena was 33 years old. Castillo was 37.
Valbuena recently played for the Los Angeles Angels, after spending some time as the Astros' third baseman in 2015, and had been a free agent since the end of the 2018 season.
Castillo played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants and the Houston Astros between 2004 and 2008.
We are so very deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Astros players Luis Valbuena and Jose Castillo. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones. https://t.co/DsFivc3KgH pic.twitter.com/DQazSdUlZr
— Houston Astros (@astros) December 7, 2018
Absolutely devastated by the news of Luis’ passing. He was such a huge piece of our success story with the @astros...but more than that, he was a husband, father, teammate and friend. Rest easy, brother 💔 pic.twitter.com/WiVx0e1h6O
— Collin McHugh (@Collin_McHugh) December 7, 2018
Why do the good die young? 😢 rest in peace #LuisValbuena #JoseCastillo
— Jeffrey (@JBinni97) December 7, 2018
#R.I.P. @adan_jome #luisvalbuena @Angels @astros @mlb - such a tragic loss of a young player. May God watch over you on the ball field in the sky.
— Danny 🇺🇸 (@TheFunkyTwinkie) December 7, 2018
Rip #LuisValbuena much love for you !! Thank you for all you did for the astros and this city
— TorturedAstrosFan (@mr_cauthen) December 7, 2018
Picture from the last Astros game I went while valbuena was here so sad to hear the news this dude was an awesome person RIP Buena !! #LuisValbuena #astros #RIP @adan_jome pic.twitter.com/O2XbYq2je1
— 🔥🏆TAkEiTBaCKSZN🏆🔥💯 (@KingSam34) December 7, 2018
RIP Bat Flip Valbuena. I enjoyed your time with the #Astros. Stay swinging⚾️. #LuisValbuena
— Cameron Smith (@clutchcitycam) December 7, 2018
#RIP #LuisValbuena Gonna miss watching this guy smiling around the batting cage with his teammates. An amazing guy gone too soon. Keep bat flipping up in Heaven, Luis 😢🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/SdWmAetbRb
— Tyler Josefsen (@TylerJosefsen18) December 7, 2018
Luis Valbuena, Forever miss the batflips and the permanent smile. Homeruns,Triples,Walks,Strikeouts it didn't matter, it was going to get a bat flip, and he was fun to watch doing it no matter who he played for. Always be an Astro to me though! #luisvalbuena #alwaysanastro pic.twitter.com/Ffb0qSyx1u
— Clint Gobert (@ClintGobert) December 7, 2018
Waking up to the sad news of #LuieJuice #RIP #LuisValbuena Show the man upstairs that bat flip!
— Luis (@Duarte19er) December 7, 2018
Damn, heartbreaking. RIP #LuisValbuena really enjoyed your time with the @astros.
— Anthony Valentine (@photo_grapher7) December 7, 2018
#LuisValbuena ...that iconic solo home run in the sixth inning really made name. #astros #batflip
— Shay (@shayhxo) December 7, 2018
May you Rest In Peace, Luis. #LuisValbuena @Astros @Angels
— KFC Calendar Girl (@No1Iknow) December 7, 2018
Ill never forget the reaction my wife and I had to Valbuena’s walk-off HR vs the A’s in July of 2016; The exclamation point on one of the best 9th inning comebacks I had ever seen. That bat flip was something. #LuisValbuena #RIP https://t.co/s8bKCR66XA
— David Piccirilli (@bluedevilinhou) December 7, 2018
Waking up to the news of the death of two beloved men is heartbreaking. #LuisValbuena #JoséCastillo Thank you for everything your brought to every community you became a part of and every baseball field you stepped foot on. You will be deeply missed.
— 🎀 𝐵𝓇𝒶𝓃𝒹𝓎 𝒲𝒶𝑔𝓃𝑒𝓇 🎀 (@BrandyAnnTX) December 7, 2018
Sorry for the loss of Luis Valbuena and his friend, to all his @Angels family everywhere. #LuisValbuena #GoneTooSoon #BatFlips https://t.co/dX2TWFaUpT
mdash; Lamont Epp (@lrepp33) December 7, 2018
The first @astros player I had the pleasure of meeting, he brought joy to the game, the Lord in his heart, and hope for his home country of 🇻🇪 in his soul. Always an Astro and now always an angel #LuisValbuena ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NBczgrYhZA
mdash; #KeepMarwin (@SandiInHtownTX) December 7, 2018
Luis Valbuena was an underrated versatile player for the Astros while we were just on cusp of becoming one of the better teams in the league. R.I.P and condolences to the Valbuena family. #LuisValbuena #mlb
mdash; Kody (@kody_manuel) December 7, 2018
Sad to hear about the passing of #LuisValbuena. Sat behind the dugout this year and he was having a blast messing around with the kids in the stands. Thanks for the memories. #angelsbaseball pic.twitter.com/TkhVYyOKVQ
mdash; Macie Walker (@maciecakes13) December 7, 2018
My daughter Olivia was escorted for kids starting line-up by Luis Valbuena when he played for @Indians He was awesome to my daughter. Olivia and Luis have passed away to soon! I cherish the memory of that #Tribe game but carry a heavy heart today. #LuisValbuena @daytolivclub
mdash; Scott Barber (@swbarber63) December 7, 2018
Rest In Peace #luisvalbuena Loved watching you in your time with the @Angels Prayers for all of his family pic.twitter.com/bZnk1fnVfJ
mdash; Michael Warrum (@CoachWarrum) December 7, 2018
Heartbreaking!! His smile was so bright! Way too soon! Not fair! Love Light to such a beautiful soul❤️❤️❤️ #LuisValbuena @adan_jome @angels @VictorRojas @Markgubicza
mdash; Kimberly Anne (@klassykimmy) December 7, 2018
RIP to the guy who had the greatest bat flip in the game. #LuisValbuena
mdash; Hillary Lost (@riley_m3) December 7, 2018
