David Ortiz, the Boston Red Sox slugger who is making his farewell tour ahead of his retirement after the season, couldn’t bear the idea of going through with a tribute Sunday after the death of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez in a Miami boating accident.
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Veloz described the condition of the boat as “horrible”. Two bodies were found under the boat and one was found floating in the water nearby.
He had come back from Tommy John surgery as good as he was before the operation, which was darn good: 2013 National League Rookie of the Year, third in that year’s Cy Young voting. The native of Santa Clara, Cuba became a US citizen a year ago. Veloza said the boat belongs to someone who is a friend of the Marlins organization, but did not identify the owner. “My thoughts and prayers go to his family and close ones during these very hard times”.
Fernandez made three unsuccessful attempts to defect from Cuba and was jailed before finally reaching the United States and attending high school in Tampa, Fla. Fernandez’s debut game in 2013 was against the Mets – and was scheduled to start against them Monday.
“Not only a great player, he was a great person, a great human being”, said Rene Rivera. “I think that really says a lot about what was truly in his heart and what kind of a guy he was”. Replays clearly show the batter mouthing “Did you catch that?”
With a beaming personality, the baseball world has lost a shining star in Fernandez.
“We get so consumed with baseball”, Francona said, “but on a personal level, it just kind of feels like you get punched in the stomach a little bit”.
Video boards at Marlins Park on Sunday morning showed a large “16” – Fernandez’s jersey number – over his name. The number was also painted on the mound, and flowers rested on the rubber.
Authorities say Fernandez was not wearing a life vest. It reminds us that nothing lasts forever, that Fernandez, a bright light of hope and opportunity who proved to kids and adults alike that this journey is bearable, is gone.
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Jeffrey Loria released a statement early Sunday afternoon saying he, his family and the entire organization is mourning Fernandez’s death.
