He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Senators for 18 games during the 1945 season, the last year of the World War II manpower shortage.

Born in New York City, Ventura threw and batted right-handed, stood 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and weighed 190 pounds (86 kg).

His pro career began in 1937 and included two seasons in the New York Yankees' farm system before Washington acquired his contract.

He spent 1941 and 1942 with the Class A1 Chattanooga Lookouts, then served in the United States Army Air Forces[1] during both 1943 and 1944 before his discharge.

He made his MLB debut on May 8, 1945, in a pinch hitting role against the St. Louis Browns at Sportsman's Park, singling off Nels Potter in a 7–1 Washington defeat.