Danny Duffy, Christian Colon join fans in mourning Yordano Ventura at Kauffman Stadium
The baseball world lost one of its brightest young pitchers on Sunday when Yordano Ventura, the 25-year-old ace of the Kansas City Royals, was killed in a car accident in Dominican Republic.
In wake of the news, the baseball community came together, extending thoughts, prayers and well wishes to Ventura’s friend and family. As did Royals fans, who created a memorial to their “Ace” outside Kauffman Stadium.
Current Royals Danny Duffy and Christian Colon also arrived at Kauffman Stadium and joined the fans in mourning. It was a remarkable sight.
Royals fans offer their condolences to Danny Duffy and Christian Colon at The K: pic.twitter.com/tVrUt9vuBm
— Sam McDowell (@SamMcDowell11) January 22, 2017
Flowers, notes and even some mementos filled the memorial site.
Fans place flowers outside of Kauffman Stadium following the loss of Yordano Ventura pic.twitter.com/51IFVvSL1P
— Nicole DiAntonio (@WDAFndiantonio) January 22, 2017
At Kauffman Stadium, #Royals fans are already here paying tribute to Yordano Ventura. #ForeverRoyal pic.twitter.com/qS0qSpWmWa
— 610 Sports Radio- KC (@610SportsKC) January 22, 2017
Fans continue to arrive at Kauffman. #Royals @KCTV5 pic.twitter.com/r4LZRR7R22
— Andrew Carter (@Andrew__Carter) January 22, 2017
A young @Royals fan and her dad drop off flowers outside #Kauffman Stadium in remembrance of Yordano Ventura #RIPAce #ForeverRoyal @MLB pic.twitter.com/tNtUP5MjlF
— Jeff Roberts (@ENGPHOTO) January 22, 2017
Somber scene at Kauffman Stadium as fans come to mourn the loss of their Ace. pic.twitter.com/da47HtoyMF
— MLB (@MLB) January 22, 2017
In a somber scene, Royals staffers were tasked with lowering the flag outside Kauffman Stadium.
#Royals flag lowered to half-staff at #KauffmanStadium in memory of Yordano Ventura. @KCStar @Royals @YordanoVentura pic.twitter.com/UDKIcx5zQE
— John Sleezer (@jsleezer) January 22, 2017
Flags being lowered outside Kauffman Stadium in honor of Yordano Ventura. pic.twitter.com/Mt7XPu78ZX
— Matt Evans (@MattEvansKMBC) January 22, 2017
Inside Kauffman Stadium, the Royals paid tribute to Ventura by placing his image on the giant videoboard in center field.
NOW: on the scoreboard at the K #KauffmanStadium #RIPVentura @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/3XYnCMAP5p
— Ariel Rothfield KSHB (@arothfield) January 22, 2017
The news of Ventura’s death hit baseball hard, but it was be felt in Kansas City the hardest and will continue to hurt there for the longest time. At 25, Ventura had already appeared in two World Series, was already the Royals ace, and there was still room for him to continue growing and improving. We’ll never know what his full potential was, but we do know that he made a remarkable impact in a life that was cut short way too soon.
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
– – – – – – –
Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!