Jose Fernandez: American Dream and Model Citizen
The Marlins’ young pitcher died early Sunday
At 24, Miami Marlins right-hander Jose Fernandez already had lived several lifetimes.
Growing up oppressed in Cuba. Trying to escape not once, not twice but four times, including the last time having to also save his mother, who had fallen overboard. A teenager in a new land. Making it to the big leagues. Starring in the big leagues, an All-Star, Rookie of the Year in 2013. Set back by Tommy John surgery. Coming back from that to star again. Expecting a baby soon with his girlfriend.
Those are the statistics that will be remembered most about Jose Fernandez, who died early Sunday morning in a boating accident off Miami Beach.
Energy and enthusiasm he had an abundance of. He enjoyed the game of baseball when he was pitching, and he enjoyed it watching his teammates play. Marlins manager Don Mattingly broke down talking about Fernandez’s passion for the game, saying he played with the “joy of a Little Leaguer.”
Fernandez was the future of the Miami Marlins franchise. In four short seasons Fernandez was 38–17, with a 2.58 ERA. This season he was second in the majors with 253 strikeouts.
He had told his teammates that the last game he pitched, Tuesday against the Washington Nationals, was the best game he had ever pitched: eight innings in a 1–0 victory, giving up three hits, striking out 12, no walks, raising his season record to 16–8.
But his life was so much more than baseball.
“You were born into freedom. You don’t understand what freedom means,” is what Fernandez often told other ballplayers.
He was a model citizen. A U.S. citizen as of April 24, 2015.
Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves was canceled. The Marlins will open their three-game series Monday night at home against the New York Mets.
It was supposed to have been Fernandez’s start.
