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Royals GM called Marlins president after news of Ventura's death

John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Following the death of starter Yordano Ventura, Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore's first phone call was to Miami Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill - an executive whose own organization dealt with the tragic loss of one of its young stars in Jose Fernandez.

"The Marlins organization handled the situation with Jose with such grace and heart and innocence,'" Moore said, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. "There's no playbook for this. There's no script. Mike was able to provide me (with) some insight and just give me some comfort, really."

Fernandez, who was only 24 years old, died in a boating accident in Miami on Sept. 25.

The loss sent shock waves through baseball as Marlins players mourned the loss of one of the best young pitchers in the league. The scheduled game on Sept. 25 was postponed and shortly after, the team retired Fernandez's No. 16. Players around the league - including Ventura - paid tribute to the starter by donning his number and initials on their baseball caps.

Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon - who hit an emotional home run in his first at-bat in the first game after Fernandez's death - took to Twitter to express his condolences towards the Royals organization.

The funeral service for Ventura will be held on Tuesday in his native Dominican Republic. He was only 25 years old, and played four seasons with the Royals combining to a 3.89 ERA and 38-31 record.

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