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KC Royals: Yordano Ventura memorial season starts on right foot

By David Hill

SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 25: Starting pitcher Danny Duffy #30 of the Kansas City Royals throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB spring training baseball game at Surprise Stadium on March 25, 2021 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 25: Starting pitcher Danny Duffy #30 of the Kansas City Royals throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB spring training baseball game at Surprise Stadium on March 25, 2021 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /
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September 30, 2016. That is the last game that a player wore number 30 for the KC Royals, as Yordano Ventura made his final career outing. Tragically, he passed away in a car accident in the Dominican Republic that offseason, with his jersey being unofficially retired.

That was the case until this year. Danny Duffy, one of Ventura’s closest friends, had made the decision to honor the Royals star by wearing his number this season. He had talked to his fellow teammates and Ventura’s family before doing so, making certain that everyone would be fine with his wishes.

Danny Duffy honors fallen KC Royals teammate in first start

One could only imagine the emotions Duffy felt as he took the mound on Monday. The Royals had started the year strongly, taking two of three from the Rangers, and were counting on him to keep that momentum going. Meanwhile, he was on the mound wearing Ventura’s number, hoping to do his friend’s memory justice.

More Royals. Davis looks like his former self. light

Duffy did his part during his first start of the season. He fired six scoreless innings, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out five batters. Whit Merrifield provided all the offense the Royals would need, as he drove in all three runs in Kansas City’s 3-0 victory.

This was the type of outing that Duffy needed. Once considered to be an ace in the making, he has not been close to that pitcher over the past three years. He had posted a 4.68 ERA and a 1.395 WHiP in his 342 innings since the start of the 2018 season, striking out 313 batters with 138 walks. Duffy had been unable to become that pitcher the Royals hoped for.

As he is 32 years old, he may never be anything more than what he is now. Duffy is a solid back of the rotation arm, capable of providing solid innings for a team looking to contend. But for one afternoon, he turned back the clock, looking like the pitcher he had been when the Royals were envisioning that he and Ventura would headline their rotation.

Next. Previewing the 2021 Royals. dark

Danny Duffy is honoring fallen KC Royals teammate Yordano Ventura this season. His first outing of 2021 lived up to expectations.

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