Yordano Ventura will be missed. (Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)
The family of Yordano Ventura is requesting that Dominican Republic authorities investigate whether the Kansas City Royals pitcher was robbed of cash and his World Series ring as he lay dying at the scene of Sunday’s fatal car accident.
Ventura, 25, crashed his vehicle while driving on a foggy mountain road. It is believed he was speeding at the time of the crash and was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle.
Reports began emerging Monday that looters came on the scene and robbed Ventura instead of coming to his aid in the final moments of his life.
Former baseball star Pedro Martinez, who is from the Dominican Republic, was appalled over the possibility.
“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,” Martinez said on his Twitter account. “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.”
Meanwhile, several of Ventura’s former teammates were in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday to pay their last respects. Among those in attendance were first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas and catcher Salvador Perez as well as manager Ned Yost and general manager Dayton Moore.
Retired Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz also attended.
Also needed to be sorted out in the wake of Ventura’s death is the $20-plus million remaining on his contract.
His contract will be nullified if toxicology results show he was legally intoxicated at the time of the crash. Moore told reporters that authorities told him no alcohol was found at the scene.
Ventura was scheduled to make $3.25 million this season, $6.25 million in 2018 and $9.75 million in 2019 as part of a five-year, $23 million contract. There were also club options of $12 million for both 2020 and 2021 with $1 million buyouts.
