The baseball world mourned the unexpected deaths of Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura and third baseman Andy Marte on Sunday.
Ventura, 25, died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic on Sunday. Marte, 33, also died in a separate car crash Sunday in the Dominican Republic.
"Today is a very sad day for our entire game and particularly for the many loyal fans in the Dominican Republic, the home of both Yordano Ventura and Andy Marte," said Commissioner Rob Manfred. "Yordano was a key figure in the Royals' recent success. His electric talent on the mound helped lead the Royals to two American League pennants and the 2015 world championship.
"Andy was a respected member of six organizations who played seven Major League seasons, including for the Cleveland Indians from 2006-10. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, teammates, friends and fans of both players."
:: Yordano Ventura, 1991-2017 | Andy Marte, 1983-2017 ::
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Andy Marte and Yordano Ventura," Major League Baseball Players' Association executive director Tony Clark said in a statement. "It's never easy to lose a member of our fraternity, and there are no words to describe the feeling of losing two young men in the prime of their lives. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families, friends, teammates and fans throughout the United States and Latin America."
Ventura, who signed with the Royals as an amateur free agent in 2008, went 11-12 with a 4.45 ERA last season.
"We have suffered an indescribable loss today," Ventura's representatives at ISE Baseball said in a statement. "Our hearts and souls are broken with the passing of Yordano Ventura. Yordano's heart and passion for the game of baseball and for life had no equal. Today we lost a teammate, who never backed down; a friend, who never let you down; and a brother, who always made you smile. Rest in peace."
• Castrovince: Ventura, Marte leave us way too soon

"Our prayers right now are with Yordano's family as we mourn this young man's passing," said Royals general manager Dayton Moore, who said he learned of Marte's death early Sunday morning. When he subsequently received the call notifying him of Ventura's passing, Moore thought it had to be a mixup. "[Ventura] was so young and so talented, full of youthful exuberance and always brought a smile to everyone he interacted with. We will get through this as an organization, but right now is a time to mourn and celebrate the life of Yordano."
Ventura burst on the scene in 2014 in Kansas City, emerging as an American League Rookie of the Year candidate after going 14-10 with a 3.20 ERA. Marte, who signed with the Braves in 2000 as an international free agent, was ranked No. 9 on MLB.com's '05 Top 50 Prospects list. He last played in MLB in '14 with Arizona.

"Words can't express the emotions from the loss of our client Andy Marte. Gone too soon. A great person on and off the field," Marte's agency, J.M.G. baseball, said on Twitter.
There was an outpouring of grief across baseball.