Sitting in Section 135, you get the opportunity to look into the Mets dugout. While watching the game, I could only make out that the Mets had hung something up on the dugout wall. As I would discover after the game, Yoenis Cespedes hung a Jose Fernandez Mets #16 jersey to honor his fellow countryman, defector, and baseball player:
His manager, Terry Collins was right there talking to his star while he hung something to honor a player who would die tragically at the age of 24. It was just one of many Mets players who took time to express their grief over the loss on Twitter.
Jose, you will forever be missed. My prayers are with your family. Thank you for everything. May you rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/5JfFsZVTWR
— Yoenis Cespedes (@ynscspds) September 26, 2016
Stunned over the tragic news about Jose. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.
— Matt Harvey (@MattHarvey33) September 25, 2016
No words can fully express a loss like this…baseball and the world lost a true warrior today. Rest in peace brother.
— Noah Syndergaard (@Noahsyndergaard) September 25, 2016
RIP José Fernández. My thoughts and prayers go to his family and close ones during these very… https://t.co/hPsCwqlnza
— Jose Reyes (@lamelaza_7) September 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/justinruggiano/status/780034931871186945
Sad day for baseball with the loss of Jose Fernandez. Hearts out to his friends & family.
— Jerry Blevins (@jerryblevins) September 25, 2016
A reminder of keeping things in perspective with the loss of José. My thoughts & prayers are w/ his family & those he touched. #RIPJose
— Brandon Nimmo (@You_Found_Nimmo) September 26, 2016
All over baseball, people mourned the loss of a unique talent and incredible young man that was gone too soon. However, it was not just his talent that makes the loss that great. After his death, you heard stories about how active he was in the community. You saw how beloved he was by his teammates, competitors, and people who covered the game. It was a rare sight to see Keith Hernandez break down as he did when he and Gary Cohen announced the news before the game.
Personally, I was left at a loss for words having heard all the stories of how he defected after multiple failed attempts and was thrown in a Cuban prison for a year at age 14. A year late, Fernandez jumped into those rough waters, and he used that strong right arm to save his mother’s life when she fell overboard. Upon hearing the news, many were left wondering where Fernandez’s savior was when that boat crashed.
As if this wasn’t tragic enough, there was learning the news that Fernandez was set to become a father. Somewhere in Florida a child is going to be born that is never going to get to know their father.
With the shock and sudden loss, the Marlins cancelled yesterday’s game. However, they will play tonight against the Mets. They will play on a night that Fernandez was supposed to be taking the rubber against the veteran Bartolo Colon.
That’s the backdrop to tonight’s meeting between the Mets and the Marlins. A once meaningful September game now seems devoid of its meaning without Fernandez. On a night that he was supposed to don his number 16 jersey and take the mound, the Mets and Marlins are left hanging up his jersey in honor and remembrance of him.
“I know they’ll be very, very respectful,” Terry Collins explained. “This is one that hits you in the stomach. This kid’s 24 years old. He’s got a huge future ahead of him. His past is a story itself — how he got here, how he became successful, his love for the game, his love for Miami and the community, what he did down there for kids.”
“You can’t ever watch a Marlins game where you’re not looking over on the bench watching this guy have fun, even though he’s not playing that night. He stays on the bench. He’s cheering. He’s on the top step. His love for the game and what he meant to Miami, it’s got to be a hard day for them.”
“Our hearts and thoughts are with Jose’s family, teammates, his fans and everyone at the Marlins.”
