SportsBeat KC: Ned Yost recounts how, why Royals didn’t tell Volquez his dad had died
Game 1 of the 2015 World Series arrived on the same day as the death of Edinson Volquez’s father, Danio, in his native Dominican Republic.
The news reached Royals general manager Dayton Moore, who relayed it to then-manager Ned Yost before Volquez knew. With game time approaching and Volquez slated to take the hill for the Royals against the New York Mets at Kauffman Stadium, a decision was needed:
Would the team let Volquez know of his father’s death in their native Dominican Republic?
The team made the call in consultation with the Volquez family. Edinson wouldn’t be told ahead of the game.
He pitched six solid innings and the Royals went on to win in 14 innings. In this episode of The Star’s daily SportsBeat KC podcast, Yost recounts the tense hours before that game, and what kind of communication was happening behind the scenes, with Star columnist Vahe Gregorian and show host Blair Kerkhoff.
Story links:
In postseason of epic Royals comebacks, none were more poignant than Edinson Volquez’s
Relive the crowing of the 2015 Royals: Here’s how they won it in Game 5