It’s taken three days, several rewrites and a phone call to my mother, but I’m finally publishing this article.
I’ve been covering Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez since he emerged as a top baseball prospect out of Tampa, FL. The young pitcher was extraordinary even before he hit his stride. His charisma was even more impressive than his 96 mph fast ball. I knew then he would leave a mark on the game of baseball. What I didn’t know was the tremendous impact he’d have on the Latino community, especially his fans in South Florida.
Miami sports fans get a bad reputation for being fair weather fans. I grew up in South Florida and was blessed to start my career as a journalist in the same place where I spent most of my life. As a Miami sports fan and broadcaster I can tell you one thing with absolute certainty: we take care of our own. Fernandez was one of us. I woke up to a dozen or so text messages Sunday morning, all with the same heart breaking news; Fernandez had died in a boating accident near Miami Beach along with two other men. He was 24 years old. I read each message several times but still couldn’t believe it. I had a brief conversation with Fernandez just a few months ago when he was in San Diego for the MLB All-Star Game. The Cuban-born player was exactly that, an All-Star.
In 2014 Fernandez suffered an elbow injury and needed Tommy John surgery. Throughout his recovery he spent a generous amount of time helping the community. I caught up with Fernandez at a charity gala honoring the life a little girl who died after a long and valiant fight against cancer. He was dressed in a black tux and his lapel was burgundy to match the gala colors. We took a quick photo and he joked that we looked like we were attending the prom. Fernandez had that way about him. Whether you met him five years or five minutes ago, he made you feel like family.
His ties to South Florida run much deeper than his charity work. The Hispanic community, especially the Cuban-American community related directly to the ace. Fernandez defected from Cuba with his mother at the age of 15. On their fourth and final attempt to escape the communist country on a raft, Fernandez jumped in the water to save his mother from drowning. Like many Cubans, they left their homeland and most of their family members for a chance at a better life in the United States.
My parents left the Dominican Republic when I was three years old to give me a chance at a better life. Our journey to the United States was nowhere near as dangerous as Fernandez’s, but we knew what his struggle, his sacrifice and what his success meant for Latinos everywhere.
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In 2013, during his first year in the MLB, Fernandez was named the National League Rookie of the Year. It came as no surprise to those of us watching him, but he still turned to his mother with his signature smile and said “Can you believe this is happening?” Yes, Jose, we could. What we can’t believe is that at 24 years old, with your entire future ahead of you and a baby on the way, your time here on Earth came to an end.
The pitcher credited his success to the support and sacrifice of his family, especially his abuela (grandmother). Every fan at Marlins Park shared in his joy the day his grandmother finally made it to Miami to watch him pitch in the major leagues for the very first time. For so many, it was more than just a touching moment; it was a symbol that if you work hard and stay humble, you can make it. When Fernandez made it, we ALL made it.
Watching Fernandez pitch was like attending a family gathering. If you’ve ever been to a Hispanic household on any holiday (or even just on a Tuesday for that matter), you know the joy of being “en familia” or part of the family. Even if you’re not a blood relative, the moment you step through the door you’re greeted with a smile, a huge hug and usually a full plate of food. When Fernandez took the mound it felt like he was welcoming you into his home. The bright colors of Marlins Park seemed more vibrant when he was on the hill. His infectious smile lit up the entire park.
The Miami Marlins canceled their Sunday afternoon game against the Atlanta Braves. MLB teams from across the league, including the San Diego Padres, paid tribute to Fernandez on Sunday. Many players, especially those with Hispanic roots, were overcome with emotion.
The Marlins played the New York Mets on Monday night. The ballpark wasn’t the same. There was no game day entertainment, there was little to no music; but worst of all, there was no Jose Fernandez. The Marlins put together a beautiful yet gut wrenching tribute for Fernandez before the game. I wondered how the players would make it through nine innings. Dee Gordon was the first player at bat for the Marlins that night. He took the first pitch from Bartolo Colon batting right handed as a tribute to Fernandez. He then switched to his usual left handed stance and what happened next can be called many things, perhaps even divine intervention. Gordon hit the leadoff homerun to put the Marlins up 1-0. It was his first homerun of the year. The entire ballpark erupted with cheers and tears. Gordon was overcome with emotion as his teammates hugged him in the dugout. Gordon says his homerun was not a coincidence.
“I ain’t ever hit a ball that far, even in BP. I told the boys, ‘If you all don’t believe in God, you better start.’ For that to happen today, we had some help.”
Wednesday afternoon a hearse holding Fernandez’s body left Marlins Park. His teammates, friends and fans joined his mother and grandmother as Fernandez left the ballpark for the final time. Those who loved Fernandez lined the streets of Miami to say their goodbyes during the processional. The city was at a standstill.
This isn’t just Miami’s loss, although South Florida certainly feels it a little more. The fans have literally watched him grow from a young prospect to an All-Star player. Fernandez was a direct representation of what I’ve been striving for my entire life, of what my parents sacrificed everything for, of what it means to be young a Latino growing up in America. He made me believe that every struggle, every setback and every risk is absolutely worth it when it’s in the pursuit of what makes you truly and profoundly happy. I’ll never forget the extraordinary athlete Fernandez was and what he brought to the game of baseball in his short career. But I will always remember how he made me feel. Athletes like Fernandez are the reason why I have dedicated my life to sharing my love of sports. Rest in peace, Jose. We’ll never forget you.
