04/24/24
September 25, 2016
Marlins Pitcher Jose Fernandez Dies in Boating Accident: Miami Marlins star pitcher Jose Fernandez died early Sunday in a boat crash off Miami Beach. He was 24. Fernandez, a former NL rookie of the year having his best season with 16 wins, was one of at least three people killed in the 3 a.m. accident involving a 30-foot boat. "They found a boat that was up against the jetties," Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Todd Garofalo said. "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."
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posted by tommybiden at 09:48 AM on September 25, 2016
Absolutely tragic. He has to be one of the best players in baseball to be lost while in his prime.
He posted an Instagram photo five days ago indicating a baby is on the way.
posted by rcade at 10:18 AM on September 25, 2016
This is just awful. He was an absolute treat to watch when he was on his game.
This Grantland article from a few years back highlights his journey from Cuba to the US. It's a great (albeit now very sad) read.
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:17 AM on September 25, 2016
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posted by jagsnumberone at 11:45 AM on September 25, 2016
Jose gave us one of the best baseball gifs ever.
Did you catch that?
posted by Mr Bismarck at 12:55 PM on September 25, 2016
When I heard of this today I immediately thought of the accident that took the lives of Tim Crews and Steve Olin several years ago. Bobbie Ojeda was also seriously injured in that one. The Crews/Olin/Ojeda accident happened when their boat ran under a low pier on a lake. That was a tragedy as is today's news.
David Ortiz asked the Tampa Bay Rays to cancel their planned pre-game tribute to the Boston hitter. They had a moment of silence for Fernandez, during which Ortiz was visibly affected. Fernandez had seen Ortiz hit a home run during an exhibition game in Cuba, and when Fernandez was finally able to come to the USA, the first jersey he bought bore Ortiz's number. Ortiz later befriended Fernandez. Today Ortiz had Fernandez's initials and number written on his cap below the Red Sox logo.
posted by Howard_T at 04:10 PM on September 25, 2016
I'm reminded of Pelle Lindbergh, who is probably the best comparison as they were both young, on the verge of super stardom, and died in a unfortunate late night accident.
posted by grum@work at 06:36 PM on September 25, 2016
It's a horrific bookend for Mattingly, who was drafted by the Yankees a month before Thurman Munson died.
posted by beaverboard at 08:04 PM on September 25, 2016
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posted by Joey Michaels at 09:08 PM on September 25, 2016
Don't know how I missed this until just now. Horrible. Seemed like a very joyful guy.
posted by holden at 09:51 PM on September 25, 2016
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posted by yerfatma at 03:49 PM on September 26, 2016
2016 has been a banner year for losing very entertaining and gifted performers in all areas. It can stop now.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 05:27 PM on September 26, 2016
The Marlins played a mournful "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" as part of the Jose Fernandez tribute. I don't think I've heard that before.
Seeing Dee Gordon hit a home run and become overcome with emotion rounding the bases reminded me of losing a rec-league basketball teammate in his 20s a long time ago to a heart attack. Eight days later we decided to play instead of canceling another game, in his honor. We were still in shock and were quite terrible, but it helped.
posted by rcade at 10:06 AM on September 27, 2016
A bag containing four baseballs signed by Jose Fernandez has washed ashore.
posted by rcade at 09:33 PM on September 27, 2016
That sucks. RIP.