Young superstar a huge loss to the game
By: Jim Williams – Columnist for Sports Talk Florida
MIAMI – Major League Baseball awoke this morning with the news that one of their brightest stars, the Marlins Jose Fernandez was killed early Sunday morning in a boating accident. The sad news that Fernandez was one of three people killed in the crash, according to the Coast Guard. The boat crashed into rocks and was found capsized by search and rescue teams around 3 a.m. off the coast of Miami Beach, according to CBS Miami. Fernandez, 24, has been as one of the game’s best pitchers since he debuted in 2013, and he was Baseball America Rookie of the Year in 2013 when he went 12-6, 2.19 with 187 strikeouts in 172.2 innings.
That season, over his final 18 starts from June 1-Sept. 11, Fernandez was the best pitcher in the majors. He logged a 1.50 ERA over 120 innings. Second over that span was Clayton Kershaw (1.96). Fernandez also paced the National League with a .161 average during that stretch, well ahead of Stephen Strasburg (.194), second among qualifying pitchers those three and a half months. So far in 2016 – his first full year since returning from Tommy John surgery that cost him most of the 2014 season and two-thirds of 2015—Fernandez was 16-8, 2.86 with 253 strikeouts, second in baseball behind the Nationals Max Scherzer.
The baseball world was quick to respond to the loss of Fernandez. I dont have the words to describe the pain feel for the loss of my friend Jose. Goodbye, my friend. pic.twitter.com/xvaa5z62RW
— David Ortiz (@davidortiz) September 25, 2016
Absolutely devastated hearing about Jose. Thoughts and prayers go to his family, friends, and Marlins org. — Mike Trout (@MikeTrout) September 25, 2016
Absolutely crushed and shocked at the news about Jo-Fez..My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and the @Marlins org! — Bryce Harper (@Bharper3407) September 25, 2016
Such sad news about Jose Fernandez. His passion and charisma for this game was 1 of a kind. #RIPJoseFernandez. The game will never forget u. — Chris Archer (@ChrisArcher22) September 25, 2016
wow very sad new this morning…hands down one of my favorite guys to watch pitch! He brought nothing but intensity and passion #ripjose — David Price (@DAVIDprice24) September 25, 2016
@srSHREK31 praying for God’s peace on you brother. — Zach Wilson (@z_wilson10) September 25, 2016
.. up with him everyday. He was an tenacious competitor, a great teammate, and an even better person. Gonna miss u brother — Steve Cishek (@srSHREK31) September 25, 2016
I am heartbroken right now… RIP my man, your kind heart and smile will never be forgotten… #RIPJoseFernandez pic.twitter.com/4pKC9EOeKI — Lance McCullers Jr. (@LMcCullers43) September 25, 2016
Woke up to terrible news! Our baseball community has been hit hard from the loss of Jose. May God bless his family #LongLiveJose — Mookie Betts (@mookiebetts) September 25, 2016
Shocked & saddened by the loss of @JDFernandez16. An incredible player but even better human being. My condolences to his family & teammates
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) September 25, 2016
Jose Fernandez had amazing stuff and is loved and respected by our @MLB family. My thoughts are with his family and team today. @Marlins pic.twitter.com/l3zbCT8g6o — Billy Butler (@BillyButlerNY) September 25, 2016 Video used in this story from WSVN CHANNEL 7 TV MIAMI AND MLB TV
