On Sunday, the entire Major League Baseball community woke up to devastating news. Jose Fernandez, one of the greatest pitchers in the game, was tragically killed in a boat accident. The news came around this morning, leaving many people in shock. Fernandez was just 24 years old. 

Reports indicate that Fernandez was on a vessel that hit a jetty near a harbor entrance. Fernandez and two other people on his boat were killed.

Following the death, the game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves on Sunday was canceled. Fernandez was honored throughout Major League Baseball, as many teams held tributes for him before their respective games. The Miami Dolphins also held a tribute for the young pitcher. 

"He was one of our game's great young stars who made a dramatic impact on and off the field since his debut in 2013," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred added. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, the Miami Marlins organization, and all of the people he touched in his life."

At just 14 years old, Fernandez tried coming to the United States with his mother and sister from Cuba, knowing there was an opportunity to pursue a baseball career. The three, however, were unsuccessful three times. This imprisoned the young Fernandez in Cuba in just his teenage years. On his fourth attempt, however, he was successful. During the attempt, turbulence waves led to Fernandez's mother falling into the water, and Fernandez dove into the water to save his mother's life. This is certainly part of the tragedy of Fernandez's death. 

Fernandez's short career

After reaching the United States, Fernandez was taken by the Marlins with the 14th pick in the 2011 MLB Draft.  Fernandez spent just the rest of 2011 and all of 2012 in the minor leagues. In 2012, spending time with the Class-A Greensboro Grasshoppers and the Class-A Advanced Jupiter Hammerheads, Fernandez was absolutely dominant, going 14-1 with a 1.75 ERA and 158 strikeouts in 134 innings pitched. 

In 2013, after a solid Spring Training and injuries to other Marlins pitchers, Fernandez made the major league team as a 20-year-old. But despite his youth and a minor-league career that never reached Double-A or Triple-A, Fernandez continued his dominance. Fernandez finished 12-6 with a 2.19 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 172.2 innings of work. Fernandez was named NL Rookie of the Year, beating out fellow Cuban Yasiel Puig. Fernandez was also named to his first All-Star Game, and finished third in NL Cy Young voting behind Clayton Kershaw and Adam Wainwright. His rookie season was one of the greatest of all time for a pitcher.

Fernandez got off to another good start in 2014, but unfortunately, it wouldn't last very long. In May, the Cuban underwent Tommy John Surgery to end his season. In eight starts, he went 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA and had 70 strikeouts in 51.2 innings. 

Tommy John Surgery sidelines pitchers for about a year, and Fernandez didn't return until July 2, 2015. Fernandez also finished 2015 strong, going 6-1 with a 2.92 ERA and struck out 79 hitters in 64.2 innings of work. 

This year, the right-hander continued to show why he is one of the best pitchers in the league. He made his second All-Star appearance, and was in the conversation for NL Cy Young. He went 16-8 with a 2.86 ERA and had 253 strikeouts in 182.1 innings of work. 

But just like that, those are all memories. Devastating. 

Rest in peace to Jose Fernandez, a man who was surely on pace to have a Hall of Fame Career, but a man who also had a huge heart and sacrificed a lot to get to the point where he was at. 

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Oliver P. Gold
A Providence, Rhode Island based sports journalist and blogger with expertise in baseball and basketball. Includes MLB, NBA and NCAA College Basketball. New England sports fan of Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics and Providence Friars.