He always had a big smile and a vibrant personality. No player was more excited to arrive at the ballpark than Jose Fernandez.
Fernandez, 24, tragically passed away Sunday morning after a boating accident in Miami. Baseball lost not only one of its finest pitchers, but also one of its biggest ambassadors.
After defecting from Cuba at the age of 15, Fernandez was the 14th overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft. When he reached the Major Leagues, Fernandez had a meteoric rise to superstardom. In his short career (2013-2016), he was selected to two National League All-Star teams and was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2013. He underwent Tommy John Surgery in 2014, but was strong in his 2015 return. He holds the Major League record for most consecutive wins at home (17).
More lovable than his pitching, however, was his personality.
Each day at the ballpark, there was no player in either dugout that was happier than Fernandez. He shined with charisma and a contagious smile. His antics and love for his teammates was unmatched by any player across the league.
Fernandez was truly a little kid in his profession. He was able to impress crowds with his ability and make them laugh with the way he reacted to his own accomplishments. His first MLB homerun? Fernandez flipped his bat and smiled, just like any kid would. The bench-clearing altercation that followed? Well, that happens.
The defection process for Fernandez was certainly not an easy one. After three failed attempts, and consequently three jail terms, he and his mother made it in 2007. On the trip, someone fell overboard into the dark water. As the waves splashed higher, the 15-year-old Fernandez jumped in and saved the woman. It was his mother.
On his bicep, Fernandez had the names of his mother and grandmother tattooed. He said his grandmother was the "love of his life." In 2013, the Marlins and MLB Network teamed up to reunite Fernandez with his grandmother, who was still in Cuba. Fernandez, after a long embrace, said that having his grandmother back was "better than being in the big leagues, better than winning anything."
When he was not striking out opposing hitters, Fernandez was always loving his teammates. He would cheer for them like a little-leaguer, yelling and waving his arms. He always enjoyed hanging out with the Phillie Phanatic in Philadelphia. At the Homerun Derby this year, many people thought Fernandez was more excited about teammate Giancarlo Stanton winning the derby than Stanton himself.
No person was more thankful for the opportunity than Jose Fernandez. He was an embodiment of why baseball is the American pastime. He pitched eight shutout innings in his final start, striking out 13.
