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MLB News: Jose Fernandez Dies In Boating Accident In Miami

By Mark Suleymanov
Published on: 02:12 PST, Sep 25, 2016

The Miami Marlins lost arguably their biggest superstar on Sunday morning as right-handed pitcher Jose Fernandez passed away in a boating accident, the club confirmed. He was 24-years-old.

The Marlins’ Sunday contest versus the Atlanta Braves has been canceled as the team and the league mourns the loss of Fernandez.

The team issued the following statement.

“The Miami Marlins organization is devastated by the tragic loss of Jose Fernandez. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at a very difficult time.”

As reported by Local 10 ABC News, the boating incident happened around 3:00 a.m. in Government Cut channel between Miami Beach and Fisher Island. Fernandez was just one of three fatalities in the wreck with divers searching for a possible fourth casualty.

Fernandez was originally scheduled to start today against the Braves but with his innings limit approaching, the team decided to push his start back one day.

“I am so sick right now as I wake up to hear this terrible news,” Fernandez’ former teammate and outfielder Justin Ruggiano tweeted. “Jose you will be missed by so many and I will never forget you as a teammate.”

Born in Santa Clara, Cuba, Fernandez’ immense talent made him a prime target for MLB teams. He tried to escape Cuba several times, failing thrice and paying for it with a prison sentence each time. Battling the strong waters and flying bullets Fernandez, his mother, and his sister fled Cuba successfully in 2007.

However, during the attempt, Fernandez’ mother fell overboard, prompting the 6-foot-3, 240-pound, hurler to dive into the water and rescue his mother. An excerpt from a Miami Herald story on Fernandez’ escape can be ready below.

In 2013, Fernandez reunited with his grandmother Olga, whom he referred to as the love of his life, per MLB.com.

Fernandez reached the states and played high school baseball at Alonso high school in Tampa Bay, Florida. While the Cincinnati Reds had an interest in signing him as an international free agent, he appealed and was granted eligibility to be drafted. In the 2011 MLB Draft, the Marlins selected Fernandez in the first round as the 14th overall pick.

Starting out in the short-season Class-A New York-Penn League, Fernandez quickly ascended the Marlins’ minor league ranks. He made his MLB debut in 2013 and enjoyed a stellar campaign, going 12-6 with a 2.19 ERA in 28 starts. He struck out 187 batters in 172-and-two-thirds innings en route to an All-Star appearance the National League Rookie of the Year award.

The following season, however, Fernandez had more adversity to overcome.

After just eight starts, he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, requiring him to undergo Tommy John surgery. He returned in 2014 to make 11 starts, going 6-1 with a 2.92 ERA. Fernandez was poised to put together a strong first full season in 2016.

The hard-throwing right-hander did just that. In 29 starts this season, Fernandez went 16-8 with a 2.86 ERA in 29 starts. He made his second NL All-Star team and was on a short list of NL Cy Young award contenders.

Sadly, Fernandez’ promising career is over under tragic circumstances.

A beloved athlete, teammate, competitor, son, grandson, and soon-to-be father as his girlfriend Carla Mendoza is pregnant.

R.I.P. Jose Fernandez (July 31, 1992 – September 25, 2016)

[Featured Image by Rob Foldy/Getty Images]

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