Kansas City, Mo. — Jubilation on the field turned into quiet reflection in the Kansas City Royals’ clubhouse early Wednesday morning.
Shortly after the Royals beat the New York Mets, 5-4, in the 14th inning of Game 1 of the World Series, the players became aware that Daniel Volquez, the father of starting pitcher Edinson Volquez, had died of heart trouble earlier on Tuesday in the Dominican Republic.
Although the Royals management knew, the pitcher didn’t get word until after he had thrown six solid innings.
According to the New York Times, about an hour before the first pitch, Royals Manager Ned Yost went to Chris Young, the scheduled Game 4 starting pitcher, and told him he might have to start Game 1 instead.