Kansas City Royals ace Edinson Volquez stepped onto the mound to pitch Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night without knowing some devastating news.

Before the game started, the Royals' pitcher's father, Daniel Volquez, 63, died of complications from heart disease in the Dominican Republic, ESPN is reporting. It was his family's decision to keep the heartbreaking news from Volquez.

"We found out about an hour before, and we said, 'What do you want us to do?'" Royals manager Ned Yost told ESPN about the conversation he had with Volquez's family prior to Game 1. "And the family said, 'We don't want you to tell him. We want him to pitch this game.' We said, 'If that's what you want, we'll do exactly what you want.'"

Volquez pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits, as part of the Royals' dramatic 5-4, 14-inning Game 1 win over the New York Mets. After the thrilling game, Volquez learned of his dad's passing and was greeted with his wife and children, before leaving.

"I could tell he was devastated," fellow Royals pitcher Jeremy Guthrie said. "I had never seen him like that before. He was very subdued, very quiet. I could tell he was in a lot of emotional pain."
Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer added: "Your heart goes out to Volquez and his whole, entire family. The way he went out there and battled for us, you hate to hear news like that. But it's another angel above watching us, behind us the whole way."

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(Photo: Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)