A St. Louis Cardinals scout has died from COVID-19 complications after nearly a month battling the bug in a hospital, the team said.
Charles Peterson, 46, who had worked for the organization since 2012, succumbed to the virus on Sunday, news station WLTX reported. He had been in the hospital since Aug. 17.
The Cardinals released a statement extending their “condolences to the Peterson family and Charles’ many friends.”
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of amateur scout Charles Peterson,” the team wrote on Twitter.
“Hired by the team in 2012, Charles was the signing scout for our 2020 1st [round] pick Jordan Walker.”
Assistant General Manager Randy Flores said Peterson had an “incredible impact on our scouting department.”
“He brought a tremendous work ethic, keen eye, and booming laugh with him every day,” Flores said in a statement. “My prayers are with his wife Karen and family as anyone who ever talked to CP knew how proud he was of them.”
Peterson was also a volunteer assistant football coach at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, where his son plays defensive lineman, news station WSPA reported.
His death marked the second virus-related death in the last week in the school district.
Demetria Bannister, a 28-year-old third-grade teacher at Windsor Elementary, died September 7 due to complications from the virus.
