TRAGEDY: Marlins ace Jose Fernandez killed in boating accident
- Submitted by: Juana
- United States
- Sports
- Personalities
- 09 / 26 / 2016
Jose Fernandez, the charismatic Cuban-born Miami Marlins ace was killed in a boating accident at age 24.
Authorities didn't know the time of the crash. The capsized boat was found shortly after 3 a.m.
Fernandez died from trauma and not drowning, said Lorenzo Veloz of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, who added there was no immediate indication that alcohol or drugs were a cause in the crash. He said none of the three victims wore a life jacket.
Major League Baseball released a statement saying it was "stunned and devastated."
"He was one of our game's great young stars who made a dramatic impact on and off the field since his debut in 2013," Commissioner Rob Manfred said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, the Miami Marlins organization and all of the people he touched in his life."
The Marlins' game Sunday at home against the Atlanta Braves was canceled. The Braves, along with several other teams, quickly offered condolences.
Within hours after the news broke, Marlins players gathered at the ballpark to grieve together.
"A lot of words were said — meaningful words and emotion and prayer," team president David Samson said. "Jose is a member of this family for all time."
Fernandez escaped from Cuba by boat on his third try. At 15, he and his mother finally made it to Mexico, and were reunited in Tampa, Florida, with his father, who had escaped from Cuba two years earlier.
The Marlins drafted him in 2011 and Fernandez was in the majors two years later at 20. He went 38-17 in his four seasons with Miami, winning the NL's Rookie of the Year award in 2013, and was twice an All-Star.
There were pregame tributes and moments of silence for Fernandez across the majors. His jersey hung in the Mets' dugout as they played Philadelphia at Citi Field.
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