As Jose Fernandez walked off the mound after pitching eight shutout innings against the Washington Nationals on September 20, several teammates heard him say that it had been the best game that he had ever pitched. Tragically, it was also his last. In the early morning of September 25, Fernandez and two other companions were killed in a horrific boating accident in Miami Beach, Florida. One of the fiercest competitors in Major League Baseball (MLB) in recent memory, as well as one of its most talented players, was taken from the world too soon.
When he first came into the MLB in 2013, Fernandez immediately took the league and all of its fans by storm with his untapped potential and raw ability to play the game that he loved so much, so well. He was not even 21 years old at the time; however, he was already a star in the eyes of fans across the country. In his debut game, he pitched only five innings, but struck out eight batters, an incredible feat considering he was only the seventh pitcher to accomplish this achievement in his MLB debut and below the age of 21 since 1916.
Making the All Star game his rookie year was a sign of his success to come, as he would go on to win back to back National League (NL) Rookie of the Month awards in July and August that same season. By the end of September, the choice of NL Rookie of the Year was quite obvious for voters and fans alike. After one of the most historic rookie seasons of all time, Fernandez had not just won the top award a rookie can receive, but he also came in third place in the NL Cy Young voting, which is awarded to the best pitcher in each league.
A charismatic young man with a burning passion for the game of baseball, Fernandez was always seen sporting a kind smile in and out of the dugout with his own teammates, or competitors from the opposing team. However, despite so many accomplishments in his young career, some of the things that defined Fernandez best had absolutely nothing to do with baseball. Growing up from humble beginnings in Santa Clara, Cuba, Fernandez was childhood friends with current MLB shortstop Aledmys Diaz who played together on youth teams before squaring off in the United States. With dreams of pursuing a career in baseball and in search of a better life, Fernandez attempted to defect from Cuba on three separate occasions leading to several stays in prison; however, Fernandez would not give up on his dream. On his fourth and final try in 2007, Fernandez along with his mother and sister, were on their way to the United States when their boat was caught in a storm. Fernandez’s mother was thrown overboard causing Fernandez to risk his own life by diving into the water in order to rescue her. Actions like these show how amazing a person that Fernandez really was.
The morning of September 25, Fernandez and two friends went for an early morning boat ride. Although much of the night’s events are unknown, reports show that their boat crashed at full speed into a jetty causing a deadly impact for all three aboard. Tragic events that became even sadder in the coming days as more information surrounding the lives of the victims was revealed. Only six days earlier, Fernandez had announced on Instagram that his girlfriend was pregnant with a child. After an emotional funeral, attended by several teammates, friends and family, his ashes were spread in the sea, his favorite place in the world.
It is always a sad time when a person is taken from this Earth too young, especially someone like Fernandez. A player with unlimited potential and his whole career ahead of him saw his life come to a tragic end at the young age of 24. The sports world will remember him for his incredible fastball, his competitive fire and that smile that could light up a stadium. Jose Fernandez will never be forgotten.
