The funeral procession for Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura stopped late Tuesday morning at the place where it all began for Ventura — a baseball field in the Dominican Republic.
Under a sunny sky, a marching band played a somber tune. A Dominican Republic flag and a No. 30 Royals jersey were spread over Ventura’s casket at Estadio Municipal in Las Terrenas, where a young Yordano learned to play baseball.
As loved ones crowded onto the field, cries of anguish rang out. Pallbearers, among them some Royals teammates, parked the 25-year-old’s remains just over the pitcher’s mound.
Statements were made on behalf of the town of Las Terrenas, as well as by the pastor at the church Ventura attended growing up.