Royals fans share memories of Yordano Ventura, one year after his death
Yordano Ventura’s final record was 38-31 with a 3.89 ERA and 470 strikeouts in 547 2/3 innings pitched.
Many Royals fans expected Ventura would add to those statistics over the next decade. Instead, Ventura died on Jan. 22, 2017 at the age of 25 after a car accident in the Dominican Republic.
Monday was the anniversary of that terrible day when Ventura died, and many Royals fans took to social media to grieve and share memories and photos of the man whose nickname was Ace.
The hashtag #Ace30 was widely used by Royals fans.
Here is what fans were saying:
One year ago, our hearts were ripped out of our chests in KC. I remember every moment of that day.
— Rhett Parrish ⚾ (@TheCheat54) January 22, 2018
Still not much easier after all this time. #RIPAce #Ace30 pic.twitter.com/VxAl4cENTk
Getting weepy thinking about this guy...
— RollinWithMahomes© (@MishLGee_xoxo) January 19, 2018
We miss you so much, Yordano.
#Ace30 #LetsThrowFire ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/aKHHbOvxN6
Man I wasn't ready for today. We miss you, kid.#Ace30#ThrowFire pic.twitter.com/7RuyZIOIsH
— Ryan Crist (@ryancrist86) January 22, 2018
How are you also at heaven?
— 虎愛太 (@tigerzett0529) January 22, 2018
Be also happy now somehow.
We pray that his soul may rest in peace.#RIPACE #ACE30 https://t.co/Ngen4tYKxb
It’s been one year and I still wish I could see him throw that fastball one more time! ⚾️ #RIPACE #ForeverRoyal #Ace30 pic.twitter.com/IS1oGhQyh7
— Amanda Potter (@amandac114) January 22, 2018
Thinking of Yordano Ventura today. Miss you kid. Gone too soon. Never forgotten. #TrowFire!!! #RIPACE #ACE30
— Go Royals 2018 (@kcroyalsfan22) January 22, 2018
Rest in eternal peace @YordanoVentura. We miss you so much!! No one throws like you anymore. #Ace30 #ForeverRoyal @Royals pic.twitter.com/Z18JcDzdiN
— Je suis Michelle (@tafkam08) January 22, 2018
I'm not crying, you're crying. #Ace30 https://t.co/iX7xzuRezV
— A.C. Long (@ac_long) January 22, 2018
I miss this kids passion for the game of baseball. #TooSoon #Ace30 https://t.co/hqYu19dHBN
— Keith Farnsworth (@fantasy_keith) January 22, 2018
At 2015 FanFest, Yordano autographed a 2014 WS shirt for me. This photo isn't the best, but I was so glad I got to meet him. His smile could light up a room. His fierce spirit could attack pitching like a lion. #RIPACE #ACE30 pic.twitter.com/9pHAvGBQTz
— LaCamp (@LC_KC) January 22, 2018
Cant’t believe it has already been a year. RIP #Ace30 pic.twitter.com/83GdiswovD
— Anna Searcy (@AnnaSearcy) January 22, 2018
Such an infectious smile. Gone but NEVER forgotten. #Ace30 #Royals #RaisedRoyal #ForeverRoyal pic.twitter.com/Hdn0VgyAG4
— Brian Joe (@Bjoe87) January 22, 2018
We miss you, Ace.#Ace30 #Royals pic.twitter.com/u4eEOkISA9
— Michael Testa (@MichaelT162) January 22, 2018
Miss your presence on the mound for sure. Seems like an eternity #RIPAce #ACE30 #ForeverRoyal pic.twitter.com/oXHBi5dQmv
— RoyalsBatWench (@RoyalsBatWench) January 22, 2018
A whole year…
— Amarillo Mullen (@Amarillo_Mae) January 22, 2018
Hope you're still throwing fire, Yo. Miss you. #Ace30 pic.twitter.com/SwtsJ6iroC
The world lost a beautiful soul a year ago today. We will always miss you, Ace! #Ace30 pic.twitter.com/4s4A5MGlQZ
— Mikayla Hague (@MikaylaHague) January 22, 2018
You brought the fire and lit up our hearts. #RiPACE #Royals #YordanoVentura pic.twitter.com/HXUbjFZKja
— Ian Badeer (@IanBadeer) January 22, 2018
Yordano Ventura, Easiest 94 mph Warmup Pitch of All Time. #RIPAce pic.twitter.com/kY7J3n2wjR
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) January 22, 2018
Never forget the tragic loss of a brother #ace30
— Justin Binnicker (@JAB11KCSports) January 22, 2018
One year ago today we lost of our own in Yordano Ventura!! I still to this day can’t believe that he’s really gone but his legacy will always shine over Kauffman stadium and in Kansas City!! RIP ACE!! #Royals #ACE30 https://t.co/FwZwHfixC4
— Justin Pemberton (@JPSports1510) January 22, 2018
Never forget the tragic loss of a brother #ace30
— Justin Binnicker (@JAB11KCSports) January 22, 2018
Pete Grathoff: 816-234-4330, @pgrathoff
This story was originally published January 22, 2018 at 10:25 AM.