In Memory of Jose Fernandez: Not Just The Baseball Player
This morning I woke up to some text messages from a couple of friends who genuinely love the game of baseball just as much as myself. Around 9:30 this morning, I received word that Miami Marlins ace pitcher Jose Fernandez had tragically passed overnight in a boating accident in Miami.
I haven't been able to keep my mind off of this incident, seeing that the kid was such a great talent and was at such a ripe age of just 24 years old. But a 16-8 record and an ERA of 2.86 this season do not mean a thing compared to the type of human being this kid was. And I say kid because 24 years old is way too young. For most, that's two years removed from a four year college/university.
I've been completely shaken up from this myself, as someone who loves seeing great young talent, whether it is on the team I love or another team. But let's take a look at who this kid was.
Fernandez tried four times, and successfully did so on the fourth try, to defect from Cuba. The previous three times left him imprisoned in Cuba. During one of the trips, at just fifteen years old, Fernandez was making an attempt at defecting from his homeland when someone had fallen overboard. Fernandez, who later found out it was his own mother who fell overboard, jumped into the sea to save her.
This kid had an incredible arm and one of the best fastballs in all of baseball. His K/9 ratio of 12.5 proves that and he was one of the best up-and-coming pitchers in the sport. Fernandez's career numbers were, and I can't believe I am using the past tense, dazzling to say the least. He finished his career with a 38-17 record and a 2.58 ERA. He was a two-time All-Star, finished third in Cy Young voting for the National League in his rookie season in 2013, and he also won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in that year.
Along with his great career, Fernandez was a guy that loved and cared for his family and everyone around him. Many baseball people have told stories of Fernandez and the kind of uplifting spirit he brought to everyone around him. To make things worse, Fernandez was expecting a child down the road as he had just recently posted an Instagram photo of his girlfriend on the beach.
My heart breaks for the family and friends of Fernandez. Especially Carla Mendoza, the expecting girlfriend of Fernandez. This is a guy that was not only well on his way to being a Hall of Famer in baseball for the mastering he had for his craft, but a guy who lifted everyone around him. He was a guy who would help anyone out, even if it were just offering them a pick me up if they were having a bad day. I am still in shock that I am writing this and using the past tense when referring to Fernandez. Baseball and the entire community of Miami lost one hell of a player and an individual today.
RIP Jose Fernandez, you will be greatly missed.
