Charlie Culberson’s walk-off home run in the 10th inning, his first homer in two years, in the bottom of the 10th inning lifted the Dodgers to the title and sparked wild celebrations. The Marlins drafted him in 2011 and Fernandez was in the majors two years later.
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“I understand we have to play games”.
“On behalf of Hal Steinbrenner and the New York Yankees, we offer our deepest condolences to Jose Fernandez’s family and loved ones, and to the entire Miami Marlins organization he so joyfully and proudly represented”, the organization said.
Fellow Cuban Jose Iglesias was too grief-stricken to play for the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. “They did do an initial search and they found three victims – two on top of the water, one underneath the boat and they had unfortunately passed away”.
When Jose Fernandez was killed early Sunday morning in a boating accident, he was 24 years old yet had already lived a life much larger than nearly all old men.
On Sunday teams all over the Major Leagues paid tribute to Fernandez and the Mets, who will be in Miami tonight battling the Marlins for a wild-card berth in the playoffs, hung a jersey with Fernandez’s name on it in their dugout.
Fernandez, who was born and raised in Cuba, unsuccessfully attempted to defect to the United States three times before arriving in the country at age 15. Fernandez’s path in baseball wasn’t all smooth, as he faced major adversity early in his second season when he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, requiring Tommy John surgery in May 2014.
“Initially, we kind of looked at it as, ‘Who’s this guy, coming in and acting like this without any time in the league?’ ” said veteran catcher A.J. Ellis of the Philadelphia Phillies.
“When I think about Josie, it’s going to be thinking about a little kid”, Mattingly said, pausing repeatedly to compose himself.
“On behalf of the Kansas City Royals, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the Miami Marlins’ family on the tragic passing of Jose Fernande”.
Fernandez was on a vessel that had a “severe impact” with a jetty, said Lorenzo Veloz of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Fernandez did not drown but rather was killed as a result of the impact, officials added.
Fernandez was originally scheduled to start on Sunday, but on Saturday the team announced he would skip that start and pitch Monday’s opening game of a series against the New York Mets. Fernandez finished his career with a 2.58 ERA, 38 wins, 589 strikeouts, and a.206 opposing batting average.
“I’m still in shock”, former Marlins player Gaby Sanchez said on Twitter.
Veloz said the death of Fernandez was a loss to Miami, to baseball and to anyone who had ever met him.
“I’m so glad you came into my life”, Fernandez wrote in that post. The number was also painted on the mound, and flowers rested on the rubber. “I can’t fathom what his family is going through because We, as his extended Family are a wreck”. A few fans milled about, even though the game was canceled.
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This kid had an incredible arm and one of the best fastballs in all of baseball.
