UPDATE (01.24.17): News came out on Tuesday that deceased Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura was reportedly robbed following the car accident that took his life this past Sunday, January 22.
There appear to be conflicting reports regarding what actually happened following the car crash. One report claims that unidentified thieves stole “cash, garments, and even Ventura’s World Series ring.” Another report is making claims that Ventura was alive post-crash but then “several people assaulted him instead of helping him.”
MLB Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez, who was considered a huge role model and mentor to the 25-year-old Royals ace, expressed his emotions about these allegations in a series of tweets, in Spanish. Translated, it roughly says:
“How outrageous to know that a life like Yordano’s could have been saved had it not been that they looted him the way he was looted.”
“Now it is more painful to know that Yordano remained alive after the accident and instead of someone to help him, they robbed him and let him die.”
“I hope an investigation will be carried out, because if there is any specific evidence of this, I would feel a great deal of shame for my country.”
Reports are coming out that Ventura was also not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
(01.22.17): We have some very sad news to pass along this morning as Kansas City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura has been killed in a car accident which took place in the Dominican Republic.
#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
https://twitter.com/Jacobommoquete/status/823193264346042368
Ventura, who was only 25-years-old, was signed by the Royals as an amateur free agent in 2008. After making his MLB debut in September of 2013, Ventura then spent the next three seasons with the Royals, and overall he compiled a 38-31 record in 93 career starts.
RIP Yordano Ventura. [Can't even believe I'm typing this.] pic.twitter.com/qPNwK9FYYR
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) January 22, 2017
**Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference
