We got the news about 25 year-old Yordano Ventura’s tragic wreck two days ago…
The Royals and Royal fans were deeply saddened by Ventura’s untimely death.
He was part of two Royals World Series teams, yet he was not considered a star pitcher.
Not yet, anyway.
He had that potential though. And yes, at times Ventura looked like a CY Young quality pitcher. At other times, not so much.
Ventura’s record in the bigs was 38-31 with an ERA of 3.89.
Those are not unreal or even great numbers. However when Ventura was on it, man he was electric. Last season he was up and down with an 11-12 record and an ERA of 4.42.
Ventura, Danny Duffy and Ian Kennedy were slated to be the Royals starting, go-to guys this season. And there were high hopes this would be Ventura’s breakout season and he might could lead the Royals back to the playoffs.
Now what?
The 2017 season’s been talked about as the team’s last chance to get it done again.
However, now without Ventura, Wade Davis and other core players, the hill is bigger.
Most observers felt the Royals would already need another starter and some relief pitching added to this roster to be a contender. Now without Ventura it’s a mystery of who – if anyone – will come on board to fill that huge hole.
Mostly it’s just sad to see a young man who spent his adult and teen-age life – and his entire 20’s – with Kansas City gone in a blink.
That said, it was hard for fans to get a handle on just who this young man really was outside of baseball. Because there were few interviews since he didn’t speak English very well. So unlike Sal Perez who became THE Royals cheerleader on and off the field, it was hard to really get to know Ventura’s personality.
And yes, Ventura had some anger issues on the field, but none we know of off the field.
I thought it was great to see and hear of so many Royals players going to his funeral and how much they loved the guy.
Maybe this will be a rallying point for the team this season.
I think losing “Ace” was kinda like erasing the two World Series seasons in a way.
Kinda like the summer, when you need it most, it’s gone.
Ventura’s life was short, but man he did so much with it in such a short time. More than most.
Rest in peace.
It’s cause for celebrating the 2 WS he was a part of, as well as his life. Not erasing it, you illiterate joke. I will give you one positive, at least this had nothing to do with your worthless life, your pretend “friends”, or your failing yuck shack. You actually stayed on topic. Congratulations, a mostly well composed piece.
iTS always nice to hear from DICK.
CG: literally, Richard Cranium translates ‘Dick Head’. As such, what he is… go easy on him.
Reminds contortionist the written word & malapropist at heart, that dearly departed blogger of a thousand paragraphs, ‘H’. The twain a case two Dicks – no waiting. Missing one owes Kerouac (and a few others) $10,000 for losing that ’50 state war’ ended November 8, Commander Trump retired hildabeast to pasture.
~
As for the late KC Royal, Kerouac will remember not Ventura’s success nor defeats, but, an seeming inability or unwillingness comport himself a sufficient measure afield. Too much ‘tude & money the culprit perhaps, buoyed too little self-control.
He is not alone.
Such behavior is typical of the modern day athlete: immaturity mistaken machismo & showmanship in lieu sportsmanship, at Kauffman Stadium & Arrowhead same, latter where evidence affirms a player there spends more time prioritizing gesturing and preening than securing passes & keeping towel to himself.
Prefer my sportsman in the mold a Starr, Dawson and Unitas of a generation “we” before “I” and ‘team’ before ‘me’, unlike today where more hot dogs be on field than in the concession stand.
🙂
Is Richard or rather ‘Dick’ a pal of yours K?
Nobody ever said Glazer was a smart man……..
Perish the thought CG… sacré bleu. No, Kerouac hasn’t any pals – to wit, only devotees… His.
🙂
Thanks for the piece, Craig. Ventura certainly had an attitude and would not back down. Got to be a little crazy to pick fights with Mike Trout and Manny Machado, both of whom could probably break Ace in half but love the moxie.
Godspeed young man.
Those bench-clearings were epic.