Baseball fans everywhere are mourning the loss of Miami Marlins starting pitcher José Fernández. Fernández was killed early Sunday morning when the boat he was a traveling on crashed into a levy in the waters of Miami Beach. There were two other casualties, but their names have not been released to the public.
Fernández encompassed the Cuban-American dream. At just 15 years old, he migrated from Cuba to Mexico successfully after three failed attempts. During the boat ride, he is praised for saving his mother’s life when she fell into the water and started to drown. Once Fernandez and his mother arrived in Mexico, they flew to Miami, and then settled in Tampa, Florida, where he attended Braulio Alonso High School.
In the 2011 MLB draft, Fernández was drafted in the first round, 14th overall to the Miami Marlins. He spent the 2012 season breaking records in the Class-A South Atlantic League, where he was named to the All-Star Futures team. In his rookie season with the Marlins, he was awarded Rookie of the Year, and was also named to the National League All-Star Team.
Fernández, just 24, leaves behind a record-breaking career with the Marlins. On April 7th, 2013, he made his Major League Baseball debut when he was only 20 years old, the youngest pitcher ever in Marlins history. In his four years in Miami, he posted Hall of Fame-worthy stats, including his career 2.58 ERA. In his rookie season, he came in third place in the Cy Young Award voting, behind pitchers Adam Wainright and Clayton Kershaw.
Outside of his baseball career, Fernández was known as a genuine young man who adored his family. He constantly said his abuela, Olga, was “the love of his life.” The Miami Marlins organization surprised Fernández on the day of his MLB debut by bringing his grandmother to Miami. You can watch the emotional reunion here. He was also an avid fisherman and boater, and often went fishing off of the coast of Miami.
Just four days before his tragic death, Fernández announced that his girlfriend, Carla Mendoza, was pregnant.
FSU student Carson Withum played on the same travel baseball team, the Tampa Bay Warriors, with Fernández. He recalled fond memories of the late pitcher. “José had an electric personality,” Withum said. “He could light up any room with his smile. He was definitely full of life.”
Sunday was an extremely somber day for the sports world. All MLB games held a moment of silence for Fernández before the National Anthem, and the Miami Dolphins also held one during their game against the Cleveland Browns. The Marlins paid tribute to their fallen Ace by placing flowers, his baseball cap and number 16 on the pitcher’s mound.
The baseball world will not forget the everlasting legacy that José Fernández left behind in his four short seasons in the MLB. ESPN anchor Eduardo Pérez discussed his legacy to the people of Miami, Cuba and baseball in general, describing Fernandez as “pura vida,” meaning “pure life.” You can watch his full interview on Sports Center here.
Other players in the MLB took to social media to express their grievances for the unexpected loss of Fernández. Designated Hitter for the Boston Red Sox, David Ortiz, who Fernández described as his favorite player, said on Twitter, “I don’t have the words to describe the pain feel for the loss of my friend Jose. Goodbye, my friend.”
Rest in paradise, José Fernández. Your legacy will live on forever.