Edinson Volquez throws a pitcher during Game 1 of the World Series (photo/MLB)
Earlier in the day Tuesday, before Game 1 of the World Series, the wife of Edinson Volquez received a call from family in the Dominican republic that Edinson’s father Daniel had died from complications of a heart condition. He was 63.
Volquez’s wife called Royals general manager Dayton Moore about 90 minutes before the game with the news, and asked that he not share the news with the pitcher until he was out of the game. Moore and manager Ned Yost knew, as did a couple of the coaches, but they didn’t say anything.
Yost was torn on what to do. He met with coaches Don Wakamatsu and catching coach Pedro Grifol and all agreed to honor the family’s wishes.
“I mean, it’s his first start in a World Series game, and his dad isn’t watching,” Yost said after the game as his voice cracked. “It was hard for me to know what I knew, and to see him compete the way that he competed. It’s just hard.”
After Volquez completed his sixth inning, he was notified by Yost that his night on the mound was done. Volquez left to meet up with family.
Chris Young pitched on September 27th the day after he learned his father died. Mike Moustakas lost his mother in August.