Jesse Esphorst
Jesse Esphorst
Jesse "J-Dog" Esphorst Jr. was a 16-year-old student-athlete from Torrance, CA. [2]
Athletic Career
Jesse at the plate
Jesse was a sophomore student at South High School where he was a quarterback on his school's football team and both a catcher and infielder on his school's baseball team. [15] [12]Jesse played varsity baseball his freshman year where he played in 27 games and garnered a.338 batting average. [12]The summer before, Jesse was on the Torrance 15-year-old All-Star team that won the Babe Ruth World Series and was named the World Series’ Most Outstanding Player. [2]Baseball was his true passion and he aspired to play professionally. [2]
Family Life
Jesse with his family
Jesse grew up and Torrance and had three siblings; two sisters and one brother.
His brother Cody, has battled thyroid cancer and other life-threatening illnesses for years.
Although Cody was only supposed to live up to his 10th birthday, he recently turned 15 and defied his doctor's expectations.
Jesse would always be motivated to play in his brother's honor.
Jesse is remembered for his kindness and for caring deeply for his family and friends.
Death
On the evening of March 7th, Jesse and his father, Jesse Esphorst Sr., were driving home from a baseball game.
Jesse hit a two-run home run during the game as his team sailed to a 13-3 victory against Hawthorne High School earlier that night. At the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and Crest Road, the van that they were driving in was struck by two cars who ran a red light. Jesse Jr. was pronounced dead while his father was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. A 21-year-old driver of one of the vehicles was arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter. The other driver left the scene and police are actively looking for him. [2]