Early on Sunday, it was reported that Fernandez had died in a boating accident on Miami Beach along with two others. The overturned boat was found by the U.S. Coast Guard early Sunday morning.
The Miami Marlins cancelled their game on Sunday — which was supposed to be a celebration of veteran Ichiro Suzuki’s historic 3000th hit this year.
Statement from the Miami Marlins organization: pic.twitter.com/6A4Rv6m2g9
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 25, 2016
Every team in the league joined in the mourning of the loss of such a beloved player. A moment of silence was observed at every game on Sunday, as players from around the league showed their respects.
.@davidortiz pays his respects to José Fernández: pic.twitter.com/vpTWv5jS3a
— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2016
.@Mets honor José Fernández. pic.twitter.com/wBWsVa5ji9
— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2016
You loved striking me out, and teasing me about it. I'm going to miss you bro #puiglovesyou pic.twitter.com/o3tqohRv5U
— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) September 25, 2016
Fernandez, a native Cuban, had attempted to defect to the U.S. three times before making it safely to Florida in 2007. At one point on that successful trip, the young ballplayer had dive into the water to save his accompanying mother from drowning when she fell off the boat.
The young pitcher had a 38–17 win-loss record and finished his career with an impressive 2.58 ERA. In his rookie year, he was an All Star, he was voted the Rookie of the Year, and he finished third in National League voting for the Cy Young award behind Adam Wainwright and winner Clayton Kershaw. Elbow problems led to a round of Tommy John surgery at the end of 2015, but Fernandez showed his typical dominance again this year on a solid Marlins team, bringing him back to the All Star Game. His last outing was a gem: Fernandez went eight innings, only giving up three hits to shut out the powerful Washington Nationals in a 1-0 win.
The news on Sunday quickly hit social media, and fans broadcast their shock and grief over the loss of such a talented, inspiring young ballplayer. Social media is now awash with favourite memories and pitches of Fernandez’s short career. Also, the r/baseball forum on Reddit has posted an ongoing thread for people to share their stories of the talented pitcher, and all that he brought to the game.
Many will remember one of the sweetest comebackers of the Internet age of baseball:
David Cameron of Fangraphs wrote an inspired piece today, speaking to Jose Fernandez’s visible joy during his time in the major leagues. Discussing a famous GIF of Fernandez celebrating of a game-tying home run by teammate Giancarlo Stanton in 2013, Cameron said: QUOTE
That is among the most genuine expressions of joy I have ever witnessed, in any context. There’s just no faking that kind of unbridled response. That reaction was a portrait of who Fernandez was, and I’m devastated that we’ll never get to see it again. Can you imagine what it would have been like to watch Fernandez win a postseason game? Win a World Series?
Iconic Twitter baseball celebrity Marlins Man suggested an award be designated in the memory of Fernandez:
hope @mlb or @marlins make Jose Fernandez Award for that player who best exhibits “For Love of the Game”. This generations Roberto Clemente
— Marlins_Man (@Marlins_Man) September 25, 2016
Another reporter shared a heartwarming shot of Fernandez enjoying the scenery after a win over the Dodgers:
This is my favorite photo. I took it after he got a W vs Dodgers. He grabbed chair, watched fireworks. A big leaguer but always kid at heart pic.twitter.com/QwDzQ1sKCx
— Allison Williams (@AllisonW_Sports) September 25, 2016
Fernandez expressed a love of the game that few have rivalled, and as fans have already shown, he will be sorely missed.
