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In Memory Of Marlins Jose Fernandez – The Kid

Miami Marlins' Jose Fernandez (www.marlins.com)

Miami Marlins’ Jose Fernandez (www.marlins.com)

With the playoff hunt heating up and exciting baseball being played all over the league, Sunday was one of the saddest days that I can remember in all of baseball. A promising baseball career but more importantly a life cut way too short.

On Sunday, it was very hard not to tear up every time I read something on Twitter or Facebook or even a news clip on Marlins Ace Jose Fernandez. Something he loved to do would take him from his mother, abuela, girlfriend and soon to be born baby. The accident took him away from the Marlins organization, his teammates, the fans and the people from his native country of Cuba.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Fernandez along with two friends, Emilio Macias and Eddy Rivero, were reported to be found in the waters off Miami Beach after their boat hit a jetty causing the boat to flip and sending the men into the rocks killing them instantly. The news sent shock waves all over baseball and the world.

Fernandez arrived to the United States at 15 years old, after three failed attempts to escape Cuba only to finally be liberated on the fourth attempt. The ironic part of this tragic story is that while on the boat heading to freedom, someone fell over board so he jumped in to save them only to find out that the person was his mother.

After attending High School in Tampa, the Marlins drafted Fernandez in the 1st round (14th overall pick) of the 2011 MLB June Amateur draft. Two years later they would do something for him that meant even more.

The Marlins arranged for Fernandez’ grandmother to visit and surprise him in an emotional reunion. Fernandez said that his abuela, was the love of his life and it was because of her that he grew a love for the game of baseball. She and his mother were a staple at Marlins games watching him during his starts. What more could a young man want but to be able to share in his journey with the most important women in his life. But there would have been possibly one more, as he shared on social media just a week ago that his girlfriend was expecting a baby.

In all, the tragic news was just heart wrenching and even though the Marlins were the only team not to play on Sunday, it was very hard to go back to normal and root on my team the Mets. It was a day of just reminiscing about this young man that had an amazing talent to go along with a greater personality that touched so many people especially his own teammates.

Watching the emotional Marlins press conference showed just how special he was to everyone on the roster all the way up to the front office.

It was just very hard not to cry at all on Sunday and thinking how unfair life can be at times.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, the Marlins, the fans and all the people he touched in his life. A young life cut way too short. I will never forget what he did for this amazing game.

Teammates, opposing players and fans paid tributes to Jose Fernandez through social media.

I’m still waiting to wake up from this nightmare. I lost my brother today and can’t quite comprehend it. The shock is overwhelming. What he meant to me , our team, the city of Miami, Cuba & everyone else in the world that his enthusiasm/heart has touched can never be replaced. I can’t fathom what his family is going through because We, as his extended Family are a wreck. I gave him the nickname Niño because he was just a young boy Amongst men , yet those men could barely compete with him . He had his own level, one that was changing the game. EXTRAORDINARY, as a person before the player. Yet still just a kid, who’s joy lit up the stadium more than lights could. A kid whose time came too soon. One that I will miss & never forget. Rest In Peace Niño, Jose Fernandez 🙏🏽

A photo posted by Giancarlo Stanton (@giancarlo818) on

Baseball Will Never Forget You. RIP

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David is the Co-Founder and Executive Editor of Legends On Deck®, as well as a Co-Host on Legends On Deck Podcast. David was a Senior Editor for MetsMerizedOnline.com, MetsMinors.net and Contributor for Hardballchat.com that spanned from 2010 to 2014. David made his MLB Debut as a writer in June 2014, while covering the NY Mets at Citi Field, for MetsmerizedOnline.com. David also coaches baseball for ages 13-15, a Babe Ruth League team in his local community. David's passion is coaching the game he loves to the future Legends of Tomorrow as well as making available a website that people can have fun sharing and reading. David is also passionate about his career as a Mortgage Loan Officer which allows him to help many families reach their dreams of owning a home. Connect with David via his Social Media pages as he loves to chat all about baseball.

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