Kansas City Royals Countdown: Top 10 Moments of 2014 Postseason Run

6. Yordano Ventura Extends the World Series

If you didn’t heed our warning, this would be the time to grab some tissues. This is one those memories that will never be the same when you find the time to reflect on it. Too much has happened since then not to add a tinge of pain to the moment.

Yordano Ventura pitched well in his World Series debut with the Kansas City Royals taking a 7-2 win in Game 2. Unfortunately for Ventura, he took a no-decision as the offense waited too long to break out. In that game, Ventura allowed eight hits but limited the Giants to two runs over 5 1/3 innings.

He had a vibrant personality, with as live an arm as the Kansas City Royals have ever possessed.

He was even better in Game 6, tossing seven shutout innings on an even 100 pitches. Somewhat surprisingly, Ventura struck out only four batters. He gave up just three hits, although he did walk five batters. The offense came through for him that time, too.

A seven-run second inning put the game out of reach early. The lack of drama is the only reason this incredible pitching effort from Ace isn’t higher on the list. Had he done the same thing in a 3-0 win, this performance would probably rank in our top five.

Obviously, this performance has grown in significance with Ventura’s death in January. He had a vibrant personality, with as live an arm as the Kansas City Royals have ever possessed. He was truly one of a kind, and thankfully we still have these memories.