Steven Moya, a former Detroit Tigers outfielder now playing professionally in Taiwan, has suffered a devastating personal loss.
Moya’s wife, Elizabeth Esmeralda, died suddenly while en route to Taiwan to watch him participate in the Chinese Professional Baseball League All-Star Game.
The Taipei Times reported that Esmeralda became severely ill during a flight that landed in Taiwan on Friday and was unresponsive upon arrival. Despite resuscitation efforts by the flight crew and medical personnel, she was pronounced dead the following morning. She is survived by her husband and their two daughters.
Moya played in the Tigers’ system from 2009 to 2017, including parts of three seasons in the major leagues. He has since built an impressive international résumé, with four seasons in Japan and now two in Taiwan. He currently leads the CPBL in home runs.
Moya has received an outpouring of support in Taiwan and thanked fans during an emotional on-field ceremony just days after his wife’s death.
“I encourage you to hug your family, your wife, your husband, your children, and tell them that you love them,” Moya said in remarks delivered in English and translated into Mandarin for the crowd. “I didn’t have the chance to tell my wife that I love her for the last time, so now you have the chance.”
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.