Ventura’s promise won’t be met
Pitcher, 25, who had honored Taveras, Fernandez after deaths, killed in crash
In a touching Twitter tribute to Yordano Ventura, Kansas City Royals teammate Christian Colon referred to the demeanor that made the young pitcher such an enigma to outside observers.
“You were like a little brother to me,” Colon wrote. “You were a tough one to deal with but with your love and smile you could al- ways make everything ok.”
Ventura, the brilliant but emotionally erratic flamethrower who died in a car accident in his native Dominican Republic early Sunday, was fueled by an intense desire to prove he belonged among the best despite his slight frame.
Likely smaller than his listed 6-0, 195 pounds — and certainly lighter early in his career — the wisp of a right-hander could dial up his fastball to triple digits and was not afraid to pick fights with hitters, sometimes for unexplain- able reasons.
The inner fire that drove him to evolve from an unheralded amateur teen into one of the game’s most fearsome pitchers was his blessing and his curse.
After signing a $23 million contract just before his second full season with the Royals in 2015, Ventura was ejected twice in his first four starts and suspended for seven games after inciting a brawl with the Chicago White Sox. He also got into a jawing match with Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout, one of the friendliest players in baseball.
And yet just a few months earlier Ventura had delivered the greatest pitching performance of his career under intensely trying conditions. With the Royals facing elimination in Game 6 of the 2014 World Series, they handed the ball to the rookie, who turned in seven innings of three-hit ball in a 10-0 victory against the San Francisco Giants while grieving for friend Oscar Taveras of the St. Louis Cardinals, who had died in a car wreck two days before.
Ventura grew up under the spotlight of the majors and not always making the right decisions.
In Spanish-language conversations with reporters, he could come across as alternately cocky and subdued.
Two days before Game 1 of the 2015 World Series, after he helped the Royals defeat the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series, Ventura spoke proudly of being part of a Dominican trio of starters scheduled to pitch in the championship round, along with Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto.
“That had never happened,” said Ventura, 24 at the time. “We’re thankful for that opportunity to be the first.”
In an ALCS game a few days earlier, Ventura had defiantly stared down Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki after striking him out, again displaying his quick temper.
But those close to Ventura saw emerging signs of maturity, and now they won’t get to witness the finished product as a player or as a man.
“I’m always going to remember our talks, not just about baseball but about life,” Royals pitching coach Dave Eiland told MLB.com. “People just saw the blowups on the mound, but they never saw the great kid inside that he was. That wasn’t who he was on the mound.
“He was a great kid, a fun-loving kid.”
There have been few details revealed about Ventura’s accident, which took place the same day former major leaguer Andy Marte died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic, but police spokesman Colonel Jacobo Mateo Moquete confirmed via Twitter the pitcher was the only person in the vehicle. He also said Ventura’s body was transported from San Jose de Ocoa, where the crash took place, to the city of Santiago for an autopsy.
Ventura had paid tribute to Taveras by writing “RIP OT #18” on his cap before his Game 6 start in 2014, then last season wore a cap with the same inscription and a similar message in honor of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, who died in a boating accident Sept. 25.
Adding Ventura, 25, to the list of major talents gone too young in similar circumstances has sent baseball into mourning again and prompted calls for the game to take measures to avoid tragedies of this kind.
Ventura’s career record of 3831 with a 3.89 ERA only hinted at his potential for greatness that will never be realized.
“Today is a very sad day for our entire game — and particularly for the many loyal fans in the Dominican Republic, the home of both Yordano Ventura and Andy Marte,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.
“Yordano was a key figure in the Royals’ recent success. His electric talent on the mound helped lead the Royals to two American League pennants and the 2015 World Championship. Andy was a respected member of six organizations who played seven Major League seasons, including for the Cleveland Indians from 2006-2010.
“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, teammates, friends and fans of both players.”