Royals pitcher learned of dad’s death after starting World Series Game 1

Kansas City Royals right-hander Edinson Volquez, who threw six innings in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night, learned of his father's death after his start.

Volquez's father, Daniel, died of heart failure in the Dominican Republic before the game, and the Royals kept the news a secret until later to honor the family's wishes.

When Volquez walked into the Royals' clubhouse in the seventh inning, general manager Dayton Moore was waiting for him, according to USA Today. Moore ushered Volquez into manager Ned Yost's office, where Volquez's wife, Roandry, and 2-year-old twin daughters were awaiting to break the news to him.

Volquez's father died earlier in the day after battling a heart disease for several years. He was 63.

Before the game, Yost conferred with bench coach Don Wakamatsu and catching coach Pedro Grifol about how to handle the situation. They all agreed to honor the family's wishes.

"The whole time I kept thinking, Eddie was out there pitching his tail off,'' Yost said after the Royals outlasted the New York Mets for a 5-4, 14-inning win, "and I kept thinking, his dad isn't watching him. His first start in a World Series, and his dad is watching him.

"I was really monitoring him. He was happy, upbeat. He was there talking to all of his friends. OK, he doesn't know anything.

"It was hard for me to know what I know, and see the way he competed. It was a sad situation. There was no road map. You just do what the family asked you to do. It was real special to them that Eddie goes out and pitches that game.''

Volquez yielded six hits and three runs in six innings. He was gone by the time the Royals came back into the clubhouse after the marathon game.

"I heard the news right now,'' said Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar, who opened the game by hitting an inside-the-park homer run, the first in a World Series game since 1929. "Volquey sent me a text saying, 'Thank you guys, for winning that game for me.'

Pitcher Chris Young, whose father died a month ago from cancer, was the only Royals' player told before the game of Volquez's father, only to prepare him for a possible start, according to USA Today. If Volquez found out about his father's death, the Royals wanted Young to be prepared as their emergency starter.

Young ended up pitching the final three hitless innings, and getting the emotional victory. Young said he felt the presence of his father, Charles, during every pitch of the game.

"Every inning tonight I was thinking about my dad,'' Young said, "hearing his choice. I'm sure Edinson is too. Anytime I feel like I lose focus, I hear my dad in my head saying, 'Concentrate. Focus on what you need to do to help this club win. He's with me constantly. It's just fresh for me, and tonight brought that back.' Words can't describe my pain for Eddie tonight.''