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Former OF dies in sleep

Former Curve outfielder Evan Chambers died over the weekend in his sleep at the age of 24.

Chambers, who played 31 games for the Curve in 2012, was third-round draft pick of the Pirates in 2009. He was known throughout the organization as a very kind person who was well-liked by all of his teammates.

“All of us at the Pittsburgh Pirates are shocked and saddened by Evan’s sudden passing in his sleep this past weekend,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said in a statement. “Beyond being just a talented ballplayer, Evan was a great teammate and a quiet leader who went about his craft as a professional every day.

“Off the field, Evan loved making a difference in the community, and often dedicated a lot of his time working with children in the communities in which he played. Our heartfelt sympathies and prayers go out to his family for this unimaginable loss. He was far too young. He will be missed.”

P. J. Forbes, who managed Chambers with the Curve in 2012, texted his thoughts to the Mirror.

“Evan always had a smile on his face and brought a smile to his teammates,” Forbes wrote. “He brought a tremendous work ethic every day and was a joy to manage. He was a guy that was easy to pull for. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

Chambers likely would have spent time with the Curve this past season but missed most of the year with a broken foot.

Numerous current and former Pirates players and minor leaguers took to Twitter Monday to express condolences about their friend. Bucs center fielder Andrew McCutchen posted some of the most poignant comments.

“Life is too short,” McCutchen wrote on Facebook, under a picture of Chambers in a Curve uniform. “My friend Evan Chambers is an example of that. He died this past weekend in his sleep at the age of 24.”

McCutchen went on to write: “If you have a son, daughter, brother, sister, father, mother, friend or loved one tell them u love them. If you ended on bad terms with someone close to u, make up, because tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone. My condolences go out to his family and may he rest [in] peace. God has you now bro, you will be missed.”

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