Two MLB Players Die In Separate Crashes

Breaking: Authorities in Dominican Republic say MLB players Yordano Ventura and Andy Marte have both died in separate car crashes - AP

Today's sad coincidence of both of these DR players being killed in separate crashes is made all the more strange by one more element: Marte’s final game in the MLB came against Ventura in 2014. Marte struck out in that game, the last of his career.

Crash Details: Ventura

Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic early Sunday morning, January 22, 2017. He died in a car accident in the city of Juan Adrián. Ventura was 25 years old.

Jacobo Mateo Moquete, a national police colonel in the Dominican Republic, confirmed in a tweet that Ventura died in the accident. He shared photos from the scene:

Ventura made his debut for the Royals in 2013 and was immediately known for his fastball. He could easily top 100 mph. He took on the nickname Ace Ventura and would go on to play a big part in Kansas City’s AL pennant winning team from 2014 and its World Series championship team in 2015.

Speed Kills

Sadly, Ventura is the third active major league player who has died over the past five months. Former Marlins ace Jose Fernandez was killed in a boating accident on September 25, 2016.

Crash Details: Marte

Former major leaguer Andy Marte was killed this weekend in a separate car crash, also in the Dominican Republic. He was 33.

ESPN reported that Yordano Ventura, 25, died on a highway leading to Juan Adrian, about 40 miles northwest of the capital Santo Domingo, while Marte, 33, crashed his car into a house 95 miles south of Santo Domingo. Both athletes were said to be under the influence, allegedly according to ESPN's Cristian Moreno.

Marte was killed when a car he was driving crashed into a house along the side of the road. Marte had been in the country playing winter ball.

Metropolitan traffic authorities say Marte died early Sunday morning when a car he was driving hit a house along a road between San Francisco de Macoris and Pimentel, about 95 miles north of Santo Domingo, the capital.

Ventura’s defining moment may have come during Game 6 of the 2014 World Series, when he paid tribute to his countryman and friend, the late St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras, who had died in a car accident in the Dominican Republic. Ventura allowed three hits over seven shutout innings that night, helping Kansas City force a decisive Game 7.

Recent Car Crashes Kill MLB Players

Yordano Ventura Hernández was a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball. He was twice named to the All-Star Futures Game. Ventura made his MLB debut on September 17, 2013.
Born: June 3, 1991, Samaná, Dominican Republic
Died: January 22, 2017
Current team: Kansas City Royals (#30 / Pitcher)

Andy Manuel Marte was a Dominican professional baseball third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball for the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Born: October 21, 1983, Villa Tapia, Dominican Republic
Died: January 22, 2017, San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic
Number: 28 (Arizona Diamondbacks / Infielder)

José D. Fernández was a Cuban-born American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Miami Marlins from 2013 until his death in 2016. Fernández was born in Santa Clara, Cuba.
Born: July 31, 1992, Santa Clara, Cuba
Died: September 25, 2016, Miami Beach, FL
Number: 16 (Miami Marlins / Pitcher), 13 (Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp / Pitcher), 44 (Jupiter Hammerheads / Pitcher)

Oscar Francisco Taveras was a Dominican–Canadian professional baseball outfielder who played one season for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball.
Born: June 19, 1992, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Died: October 26, 2014, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Number: 18 (St. Louis Cardinals / Outfielder)

Andújar Cedeño Donastorg (August 21, 1969 – October 28, 2000) was a Major League Baseball (MLB) shortstop from 1990 to 1996. Born in La Romana, Dominican Republic, he played for the Houston Astros from 1990 to 1994, the San Diego Padres in 1995, and in 1996 played for the Padres, Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros again. His brother is former MLB player Domingo Cedeño. Four years after he last appeared in the major leagues, Cedeño was died in an automobile accident on October 28, 2000, while heading to his home in La Romana, Dominican Republic. It took place after a game between the Tigres de Licey and the Azucareros del Este in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. While on his way home, the Mercedes Benz he was driving collided with a truck, killing him instantly.
Born: August 21, 1969, La Romana, Dominican Republic
Died: October 28, 2000, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic