September 25, 2016, a day the sports world won't soon forget. Having woken up to tragedy as MLB all-star and Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez was announced dead after his boat had flipped and killed all aboard. Just as the sports world was beginning to call it a day and say goodnight the sports world was hit with another tragedy. Legendary golfer and sports icon had passed away in the late hours of the night. In a 24 hour span, the sports world lost the future in 24 year Jose Fernandez and a piece of its past and history in Palmer.
Fernandez, the 2013 NL rookie of the year, two-time MLB all-star, and consistently in the CY Young conversation was truly one the games best. At the young age of only 24 years old Fernandez had not even entered his prime, he will still just a kid, a kid playing the game he loved. In the midst of a career year going 16-8 with an ERA under 3.00 while striking out 253 batters. With that being said, what Fernandez meant to baseball went so far beyond the numbers. As great of a talent that he was perhaps, his greatest asset was who Fernandez was as a person. Having defected from Cuba at the age of 15 Fernandez risked his life to come to America, to play baseball. Truly a kid at heart as his teammates and coaches would say, he loved the game and his personality was intoxicating. He was as Bryce Harper would say making baseball great again. With his personality instilled in every pitch, every at-bat, in everything he did you never wanted to look away. A simple play like catching a line drive was made great by his simple yet overwhelmingly happy charisma.
As if the day was not hard enough legend Arnold Palmer passed away at the age of 87. It has been confirmed that Palmer passed away due to complications from heart problems. Like Fernandez, Palmer meant so much more the sports world than simply his play on the course. A recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Congressional Gold Medal of Freedom, and an all-around noble man who gave back to the public in oh so many ways. Associated as one of the "big three" of golf in his day with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, Palmer was anything but aesthetically pleasing on the course, but that never mattered as his unorthodox approach worked for him. Not just an athlete but an icon, making the sport of gold relevant, being friends with presidents, and of course having a drink named after him. Truly one of the greatest individuals not only the sports world but the society as a whole has had the pleasure to know.
September 25, 2016, a day that will live in infamy to the sports world. Though a day that should be used to remember these great athletes and these great individuals. Whether it was 24 or 87 each had contributed so much during their time here. We can not do anything but thank them for being who they were.
