Yordano Ventura burst into the MLB scene much in the same as Rick Vaughn did during the filming of Charlie Sheen’s featured film, Major League.
Able to captivate his fans and cause massive swings and misses from his opponent, Ventura guided the Kansas City Royals to a seven-game series in the 2014 World Series and finally led the franchise in capturing their first championship since 1985 the following season. No stranger to chaos, Ventura was involved in multiple brawls during the course of 2015 season leading to a multiple game suspension.
On Saturday, Ventura lost control of his car in his native Dominican Republic. Details at this time show Ventura drove his jeep through a heavy fog on a mountain stretch of highway without wearing his seatbelt and was thrown from the car. Officials at the scene found no signs of alcohol. Ventura’s death has been confirmed by Kansas City Royals officials.
Andy Marte also lost his life over the weekend in a tragic car accident. The details on this accident are still relatively unknown. Marte crashed into a house in the Dominican Republic along the side of the road. Marte’s career spanned from 2005 to the present time, spending the majority of his playing days with the Cleveland Indians. Expectations for Marte were extremely high and while he never fully lived up to those expectations, his recent career had a renaissance playing overseas for the KT Wiz in Korea.
The baseball world took to social media to express their shock and sadness over the loss of their own:
Mike Moustakas (Kansas City): “I love you Ace. I don't know what to say other then I'm going to miss you a lot. RIP ACE.”
Chris Archer (Tampa Bay): “Tragedy has no bias, people. Please, please be safe out there. Condolences to the Ventura family. #RIP Yordano, loved watching you throw.”
Arizona Diamondbacks: “We are deeply saddened to hear that former D-back Andy Marte has passed away. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.”
Cleveland Indians: “Sad to learn of Andy Marte's death this morning. He was a genuine person who always greeted you with a warm smile. RIP.”
Mike Trout (LA): “Sad day in the baseball world.”
Robinson Cano (Seattle): “We were brothers who shared two passions: baseball and the Dominican Republic. Rest In Peace Yordano Ventura and Andy Marte.”
Thanks to the below links for story information:
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article128080059.html
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/former-top-mlb-prospect-andy-marte-33-killed-in-car-crash/
http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18531195/mlb-community-mourns-deaths-yordano-ventura-andy-marte