By LOGAN RIPLEY
Sports Editor
At the age of 24, with a pregnant wife and a full career playing the game he loved ahead of him, all of it was taken away off the shore of Miami Beach.
Miami Marlins ace pitcher Jose Fernandez was announced dead after a press release circulated from the MLB on Sept. 25.
The young pitcher passed in an apparent boating accident. Commissioner Robert D. Manfred said in a league statement, “All of baseball is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez.”
“He was one of our game’s great young stars who made a dramatic impact on and off the field since his debut in 2013.”
Fernandez and two others were found dead after their 32-foot boat was discovered crashed near Miami Beach, according to Fish and Wildlife Commission public information officer Lorenzo Veloz.
Around 3:15 a.m. Fernandez and the two others were found by the Coast Guard. The names of the other victims are being withheld until family can be notified.
The MLB Players Association also released a statement to Fernandez’s family, friends and fans.
“We are devastated by the news that Jose Fernandez has tragically passed,” said director Tony Clark.
“Jose was a remarkable young man and a tremendously gifted athlete, who, at just 24, established himself as one of the game’s biggest and brightest stars.”
Fernandez was one of the up and coming stars of the league, and there will be a void in not only the Marlins organization but the MLB as a whole.
He was the face of the rising Miami Marlins organization that was in a battle for a wildcard much of the season, but will likely miss the playoffs.
The MLB canceled the Sept. 25 game at home against the Atlanta Braves in honor of Fernandez. But many are calling for all games to be cancelled, because of the sudden and tragic news.
The Miami Dolphins will hold a moment of silence in honor of Fernandez before their game against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 25.
At the age of 15, Fernandez in 2008 defected from his home country Cuba like many others before him.
In 2011 he was drafted by the new look Miami Marlins, trying to regain the prominence they saw in the early 2000s.
Their best player, star pitcher, National League Rookie of the Year 2013 and a two-time All-Star, Fernandez will be missed by all who ever saw him grace the diamond in the MLB.
Those who played with him and against took to social media to display their sorrow.
Among the many, Dan Haren commented, “Jose Fernandez is one of the most genuine guys I’ve ever played with.”
“He loved life, he loved baseball….he will be missed dearly.”
The hashtag #restinpeace will be used more than ever in the coming day, because of this devastating and sadly all-too-common news. It will be sometime before the MLB can overcome this loss.
They didn’t just lose a baseball player but one of the most charismatic, loving, and friendly people.
The lasting memory will not be how hard he could throw, but the smile he showcased every day.
