Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez tragically died on Sunday after a boating accident took his life, along with two others. Fernandez was only 24 and his girlfriend was pregnant with his child, as he documented in his last instagram post. The Marlins, Fernandez’s family, friends, teammates and so many more have paid tribute to Jose. Before their first game since his death, the Marlins had an emotional tribute before the faced the New York Mets. The team all wore #16 ‘Fernandez’ jerseys, and it will be the last time those ever get used by the team. His number will be getting retired after tonight.
The Marlins had a playing of ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’ on the trumpet followed by a moment of silence as only eight Marlins took the field and surrounded the pitching mound. The left the mound open in honor of Fernandez who would’ve been their ninth man tonight.
The @Marlins? held a special ceremony in honor of #JoseFernandez prior to Monday's game at Marlins Park. #JDF16 pic.twitter.com/1OPMrYyrEJ
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) September 27, 2016
Then, the team proceeded to surround the pitching mound and proceeded to write Fernandez’s number 16 in the dirt along with his initials. Team leader Giancarlo Stanton then delivered a message to the squad.
.@Marlins players gather as a group around the pitcher's mound as they pay their respects to #JoseFernandez. #JDF16 pic.twitter.com/K3BO25c3qc
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) September 27, 2016
Shortly after this, one of Fernandez’s close friends and teammate Dee Gordon did something amazing. He smacked a home run shortly after paying tribute to his fallen teammate.
