Royals pitcher Ventura dies in crash
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City pitcher Yordano Ventura, whose electric arm and confident demeanor helped lead the Royals to a World Series championship in 2015, died in a car crash in his native Dominican Republic early Sunday. He was 25.
Highway patrol spokesman Jacobo Mateo said Ventura died on a highway leading to the town of Juan Adrian, about 40 miles northwest of Santo Domingo. Mateo did not say whether Ventura was driving.
“Our team and our organization is hurting deeply,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “It’s certainly something that puts everything into strong perspective, and challenges us all to never grow tired or weary or cease to do what is right, and loving others. Nobody is guaranteed tomorrow.
“We loved Yordano. We loved his heart, we loved who he was as a teammate, a friend. He was somebody that challenged us all and made us better, and I’m going to miss him.”
The Dominican Republic has the second-highest trafficrelated death rate in the world — officials there believe alcohol, speed and a blatant disregard for traffic laws are to blame. Moore speaks frequently with Latin American players about the dangers of returning home, including driving on the perilous roads.
“I’m more intentional about it to the point where it probably goes in one ear and out the other,” Moore said, “but we’re constantly discussing these things.”
The Royals lowered flags at Kauffman Stadium to half-staff Sunday and displayed Ventura’s photograph on the large, crown-shaped scoreboard in center field at the ballpark. Fans were leaving flowers, hats and other mementos within hours of learning of his death.
Kansas City teammates learned the news in a text chain and took to Twitter to share their sorrow.
“I love you my brother. I’m in disbelief and don’t know what to say,” first baseman Eric Hosmer said.
Third baseman Mike Moustakas also expressed disbelief, tweeting: “I love you Ace. I don’t know what to say other than I’m going to miss you a lot. RIP ACE.”
Ventura will be buried Tuesday in the Dominican Republic. Moore, manager Ned Yost and other members of the Royals are planning to attend.
Ventura signed a $23 million, five-year deal with the Royals in 2015. He then helped them beat the New York Mets in the World Series for their first crown since 1985.
The right-hander went 11-12 with a 4.45 ERA last season, and his fiery demeanor was never more evident than when he hit Baltimore’s Manny Machado with a fastball in June to trigger a brawl. Ventura was suspended nine games for the pitch, though it was cut to eight on appeal.
Ventura wound up pitching his entire career for the Royals, going 38-31 with a 3.89 ERA in 94 games, including 93 starts.
“He always had a zest for life, an innocence about the game, a freshness, a fearlessness,” Moore said, his voice cracking. “He was a very compassionate human being, loved to compete, no doubt challenged us, but that made us better. Nobody could ever doubt how much he cared about his teammates, how much he cared about the fans, and how much he loved to compete and to pitch.”