The Marlins later confirmed Fernandez’s death and announced that Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves was cancelled.
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In 2013 – his first year in Major League Baseball – he was voted to be an All Star and was picked as one of the top ten pitchers. “He brought nothing but intensity and passion”, Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price tweeted.
The right-hander was drafted in the first round by the Marlins in 2011 and went on to win an All-Star and the National League Rookie of the Year award two years later.
The bodies of Fernandez and the other two men, who were between the ages of 24 and 27, were found on and underneath the boat, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Lorenzo Veloz said at a news conference.
Just five days before his passing, Jose penned a heartbreaking tribute to his pregnant girlfriend, Carla Mendoza, on Instagram. Fernandez died in a boating accident Sunday. “I’ve been trying to live that life for a while now”. The native of Santa Clara, Cuba became a USA citizen past year and was enormously popular in Miami. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very hard time”, the team said in the statement.
I dont have the words to describe the pain feel for the loss of my friend Jose. Fernandez was originally scheduled to pitch for the Marlins on Saturday night, but his start was later pushed back to Monday.
“He was a guy who really touched your heart with his joy for the game”, Jenkins said.
The young player had been earmarked as one to watch thanks to a 100mph fast ball. Fernandez’s death immediately brought memories of past baseball tragedies, such as the deaths of Thurman Munson and Roberto Clemente – stars who died in plane crashes in the 1970s.
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“To all who will kneel during the anthem today – just remember how Jose Fernandez risked his life just for the chance to stand for it”, Gaetz tweeted Sunday morning, referring to the Cuban native’s efforts to reach the United States from the communist island country The tweet referenced the trend of professional athletes – following the lead of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick – who kneel in protest during the national anthem. Video boards at Marlins Park on Sunday morning showed a large “16” – Fernandez’s jersey number – over his name. Perez said it was evident then that Fernandez would be a star one day.
