Former Greensboro Grasshoppers pitcher Jose Fernandez has been killed in a boating accident in Florida and I just saw the news a few minutes ago on Time Warner News and I just have to say, I am stunned…
(Jose Fernandez was just 24 years old.)
Fernandez was an outstanding young pitcher for the Miami Marlins and just pitched in the Major League All-Star Game for the National League this past Summer…
Jose was a pure young phenom talent and he was that and more with the Greensboro Grasshoppers for one half of a season(2012), but he set the world on fire in the half of a season, in Greensboro….He was nothing but electric and every game performed as a professional…I will never forget his bright orange glove and his dominance on the mound…(I think Jose wore the bright orange shoes too and the orange, among the colors of the Marlins.)
He and Adam Conley(pitcher) were both here only half of that season, but they and especially Fernandez, made a major impact…
Jose Fernandez with the Greensboro Grasshoppers in 2012:(19 years old)
(7-0)/1.59 ERA/14 Games/14 Starts/79.0 Innings/51 Hits/16 Runs/14 Earned/2 HR’s/18 BB’s/99 K’s….
Fernandez was always a happy kid and seemed to have a good time and he really enjoyed what he was doing in baseball for the Grasshoppers and later for their parent team, the Miami Marlins and Jose Fernandez was very appreciative of his chance/opportunity to play professional baseball…
Jose had Tommy John’s shoulder surgery a couple of seasons ago and he came back strong and he had struck 10 or more batters 6 times in his career and he did it three times this season alone, for the Marlins….Jose was also a talented hitter and in game this past season, his hitting out-did his pitching and he drove in two key runs…
With a healthy career Jose Fernandez would have gone down as one of the best and most accomplished pitchers in baseball history, there is no doubt about that, but unfortunately we will never have the chance to see that happen…
Jose Fernandez, just a nice young man who was loaded with tons of talent has died in a boating accident and of all things, Fernandez had come to the United States in a small boat, coming here from Cuba back when he was just a young teenager and he had spent time in jail for leaving his homeland, but that did not ever stop Jose Fernandez from reaching his dreams and his grandmother had stayed back in Cuba, after Jose and his mom had defected to the U.S., but Jose always remembered his grandmother and stayed in touch with her…
We have lost Jose Fernandez, a young man that touched and impressed many people during his time in Greensboro, North Carolina, with the Greensboro Grasshoppers’ baseball team….
RIP Jose Fernandez…..
Jose Fernandez: 1992-2016
We will add more details on this tragic accident as we get them and we will look for reports coming in later today, from Bill Hass and Jeff Mills….
More on Jose Fernandez:
Marlins star Jose Fernandez dies in boating accident at 24…..
Miami Marlins star pitcher Jose Fernandez was one of three people who died in a boating accident in Miami Beach …
Major Baseball Statement on the Death/Loss of Jose Fernandez:
Due to the tragic death of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, today’s game between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park has been cancelled. Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. issued the following statement:
“All of Baseball is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez. 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. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, the Miami Marlins organization and all of the people he touched in his life.”
Statement from the Miami Marlins baseball organization:
“The Miami Marlins organization is devastated by the tragic loss of Jose Fernandez. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time,” the Marlins released in a statement.
Jose Fernandez’ record and ERA for this season and he had just told one of his teammates the other day, that his last game against the Washington Nationals was the best game that he had ever pitched in his life and Jose was scheduled to start tomorrow/Monday vs. the Mets…Originally scheduled to go today, but he had been pushed back to Monday’s game…..Record and ERA for 2016:16-8 record with a 2.86 ERA…..
You can check out the Miami Marlins’ Press Conference on the death of Jose Fernandez when you CLICK HERE.
from www.espn.com:
The Coast Guard arrived on the scene at around 3 a.m. to find a 32-foot boat upside down on a jetty off Miami Beach. Two of the victims were found dead under the vessel. One was found dead in the water. None of the deceased was wearing a life vest.
Speed is suspected to be a factor in the accident because of the impact with the jetty, Veloz said. There was no evidence of alcohol or illegal drug use.
Jose Fernandez was a Gift to Greensboro, from Jeff Mills at the News and Record
CLICK HERE