Former Kansas City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura died last Saturday, January 22, in his native Dominican Republic. Authorities say he lost control of his car after he went around a curved road a little too fast. His car flipped multiple times and Ventura was thrown from his car. He was presumably dead within the time help arrived. In his four years with the Royals, he had a career record of 38-31 and started nine postseason games. He also pitched in the 2014 and 2015 World Series, winning it in 2015. Ventura presents another example of a young, talented athlete taken too soon.

Yordano Ventura Hernández was born in was born in Samaná, Dominican Republic, on June 3, 1991. After playing in the Dominican Republic as a kid, he moved to America to join the Kansas City Royale Academy. He signed as an international free agent in 2008. After spending five years in the Royals Minor league system, playing for all three of their teams in Single, Double, and Triple A, he made his MLB debut September 17, 2013. In his three starts that season, Ventura finished with a 3.52 ERA. In the 2014 season, he won the Royals final spot in their pitching rotation. During the 2014 regular season, Ventura went 14–10 with a 3.20 ERA. He started the second game of the 2014 American League Division Series (ALDS) between the Royals and Angels on October 3, 2014. He also started two games in the World Series.

In the 2015 season, he signed a $23 million contract with the Royals. He was named the Opening Day starter for the season, pitching against the Chicago White Sox. This season was not as pretty, as he was ejected from a game for the first time in his career for unintentionally hitting a batter. Ventura was fined, but was not suspended for any games. The next day, Ventura was ejected after a bench-clearing brawl, he was suspended seven games. Throughout the season, Ventura pitched to a 13–8 record with a 4.08 ERA and 156 strikeouts.

In five postseason games he pitched to a 6.43 ERA and did not earn a win. Ventura was best known for his fastball, reaching speeds of 102 MPH.

Even with some blemishes in his career, Ventura still boasted a respectable record. With World Series wins and a World Series title under his name, Ventura’s name will always be remembered. At age 25, Ventura was still so young and had so much potential. He was one of the future faces of the Royals. No matter what, Yordano Ventura will always be known as someone taken way too soon.