Current, former major leaguers die in Dominican crashes

FILE - In this Thursday, July 28, 2016, file photo, Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Yordano Ventura throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas. Authorities in the Dominican Republic said Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, that Ventura and former major leaguer Andy Marte both have died in separate traffic accidents. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Thursday, July 31, 2014, file photo, Arizona Diamondbacks' Andy Marte celebrates his two run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Phoenix. Authorities in the Dominican Republic said, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, that Kansas City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura and former major leaguer Marte both have died in separate traffic accidents. (AP Photo/Matt York, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014, file photo, Kansas City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura has an RIP O.T. #18 on his hat, paying tribute to his friend and countryman, Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras as he walks off the field during the first inning of Game 6 of baseball's World Series against the San Francisco Giants in Kansas City, Mo. Ventura, whose electric arm and confident demeanor helped lead his long-suffering team to the 2015 World Series title, died in a car crash in his native Dominican Republic early Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017. Taveras also was killed in a car accident in the Dominican Republic, and his funeral occurred just hours before Ventura stepped on the mound for Game 6. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) (The Associated Press)