Mike Sharperson was close to being back in the major leagues.
The San Diego Padres had told the minor league infielder to join the big league club for a possible promotion. That was Saturday night. On Sunday morning, the former All-Star with the Los Angeles Dodgers was dead after a one-car crash.Sharperson had been told to meet the Padres in Montreal as an insurance move in case starting third baseman Ken Caminiti didn't continue to progress from a groin injury.
Jerry Royster, the manager of the Class AAA Las Vegas Stars, said Sharperson was on his way home when the accident occurred. He had been scheduled to fly to Montreal later Sunday.
Sharperson, 34, had played with Toronto, Los Angeles and Atlanta in his major league career. He signed with the Padres as a minor-league free agent Nov. 29.
"I was sick all day," Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda said. "I loved Mike Sharperson. I loved him and his family very dearly. He was a great guy to have on the team."
Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Steve Harney said Sharperson was southbound on Interstate 15 at about 2:45 a.m. when he apparently realized he missed his turn onto Interstate 215. A witness said Sharperson tried to make a right turn onto I-215, but he lost control in the rain and went into a dirt median, Harney said.
Sharperson was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected through the sun roof, Harney said. He was taken to University Medical Center and died on the operating table at 5:05 a.m.
Wearing a seat belt "might have made a difference," Harney said at a news conference at Cashman Field, where Sunday's game between Las Vegas and Edmonton was canceled.
Harney said there was no indication that alcohol was involved, but authorities routinely wait for an autopsy before making the final determination.
Padres manager Bruce Bochy called general manager Kevin Towers from New York on Sunday morning and was give the news that Sharperson was dead.
When the Stars players heard of Sharperson's death, they held hands and had a moment of silence, Royster said.
"This really, really hurts," Royster said, tears streaming down his face. "The guys are trying to sort this thing out. Baseball has lost a real friend. Baseball will definitely mourn the death of Mike Sharperson."
Royster said Sharperson didn't show any particular emotion when told to report to Montreal, other than that he wanted to get back to the majors.
When Sharperson came to Las Vegas, "I wasn't sure what he had left," Royster said. "He came here and he proved what he had. He was the best player on our team if not in the league."