World Series 2015: Edinson Volquez's father dies before pitcher's Game 1 start

Kirstie Chiappelli

World Series 2015: Edinson Volquez's father dies before pitcher's Game 1 start image

Royals starting pitcher Edinson Volquez took the mound Tuesday for Game 1 of the World Series against the Mets hours after the death of his father.

Daniel Volquez died Tuesday at age 63 in the Dominican Republic due to complications from heart disease, according to ESPN.com.

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The Royals did not immediately confirm that Daniel Volquez had died, but ESPN reported that Volquez was notified shortly before the game began. The Royals said Volquez had not been informed.

UPDATE: The New York Times reported that the Royals told Volquez after he was removed from the game in the sixth inning. Volquez's wife requested that her husband not be told until then, according to the Times report. Volquez left the clubhouse and was not available to reporters after the Royals' 5-4, 14-inning victory. Fox Sports, which was broadcasting the game, waited until the eighth inning to announce the news. According to the Times, Volquez often goes into the clubhouse between innings, and games usually are being shown on one of the televisions there. The Royals did not want Volquez to find out that way.

Two other Royals players — Chris Young and Mike Moustakas — have lost parents in the last several months. Young's father, Charles, died Sept. 26. Moustakas' mother, Connie, died Aug. 9.

Kirstie Chiappelli