Edinson Volquez pitched Game 1 of the World Series Tuesday night without knowing his father had passed away.
News surfaced before the game that Volquez’s father, Daniel Volquez, died at the age of 63 of heart disease. There were conflicting reports at the time about whether Edinson was aware of what had happened, but Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost explained after the extra-innings win that no one told Volquez at the request of his family.
“I don’t have any idea when he found out,” Yost told reporters, per Kevin Draper of Deadspin. “You know, we found out about it before the game and the wishes of the family was, you know, let Eddie pitch. So I was kind of keeping my eye, didn’t want him to hear about it. I was keeping my eye on him. And he was fine. He didn’t know, and I guess after the game is when he found out.
“I almost told him when he was done, ‘You need to go call your wife,’ but I didn’t.”
The FOX broadcast team was asked not to mention Daniel’s passing because Volquez often goes into the clubhouse during starts, where the game is usually on TV. The network honored the request, and Joe Buck eventually told viewers after Volquez had left the ballpark.
Most of Volquez’s teammates were also unaware of Edinson’s father’s death, but Yost had to tell starting pitcher Chris Young in case Volquez found out and couldn’t pitch. Young, who lost his own father on Sept. 26, can relate to what Volquez is going through.
“I certainly sympathize with the pain [Volquez is] going through tonight,” he said. “It’s hard, it’s really hard. I just really can’t describe. I just feel sorry for him and feel his pain.”
Volquez allowed three earned runs and six hits over six innings. The Royals went on to win in the 14th inning, and you can see the play they won it on here.
It’s hard not to feel uncomfortable about watching Volquez pitch and knowing something so intimate about his family that he didn’t even know at the time. But you can’t blame Yost for respecting the wishes of his wife. Our thoughts are with Volquez and his family.
