Reds honor memories of Lauren Hill, Oscar Taveras

CINCINNATI -- The nation and the world took up the cause for Mt. St. Joseph University women's basketball player and brain cancer fighter Lauren Hill, but her home was in Greater Cincinnati.

Hill died Friday at the age of 19, and the Reds remembered her with a tribute and moment of silence before their game vs. the Cardinals.

After the college freshman was diagnosed with a terminal brain cancer called DIPG and given only months to live, the NCAA granted Mt. St. Joseph a special waiver that allowed the team to open its season earlier than scheduled so Hill could play in some games while she was still able.

She scored the first points in her first game, vs. Hiram, which helped spark a nationwide outpouring of support and generosity.

Millions of dollars were raised via the "Layups for Lauren" fundraising drive as Hill received worldwide attention.

The Reds also paused to remember another life taken too soon in Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras.

The 22-year-old outfielder, who was one of the top prospects for St. Louis, was killed in a car accident along with his girlfriend just after last season in the Dominican Republic.