Reports: Royals Pitcher Yordano Ventura Killed in Car Crash
By Tully Corcoran
Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura was killed Sunday morning in a car crash in the Dominican Republic, the Kansas City Royals have confirmed.
#Royals pitcher @YordanoVentura Dead at 25 after fatal car accident earlier today, confirmed by #Dominican police force. Terrible news. #MLB
— Cristian Moreno (@CristianMorenoD) January 22, 2017
The Royals have confirmed the death of Yordano Ventura.
— Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) January 22, 2017
Ventura, whose fastball topped out at 102 miles per hour, made his MLB debut in 2013 and won a spot in the starting rotation the next season. He perhaps shined most brightly in 2014, when at age 23 he threw seven scoreless innings in Game 6 of the World Series.
He pitched that night in dedication to his friend Oscar Taveras, who had recently died in a car accident in the Dominican.
Ventura is the second baseball player to lose his life in a car crash this weekend in the Dominican Republic, where driving is especially dangerous. Andy Marte also died this weekend in a separate incident, at age 33.
We are heartbroken. #RipAce pic.twitter.com/1LXyGwxwZ0
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) January 22, 2017
I love you Ace. I don't know what to say other then I'm going to miss you a lot. RIP ACE.
— Mike Moustakas (@Mooose_8) January 22, 2017
ACE I love you my brother. I'm in disbelief and don't know what to say. I love you ACE ?? @… https://t.co/ky3lw2eSoh
— Eric Hosmer (@TheRealHos305) January 22, 2017