Reactions to the tragic death of Miami Marlins Jose Fernandez

Sep 25, 2016, 11:22 AM

Hector Sanchez takes a photo of a make shift memorial in honor of Jose Fernandez sits outside Marlins Stadium, Sunday Sept. 25, 2016. Jose Fernandez, the ace right-hander for the Miami Marlins who escaped Cuba to become one of baseball's brightest stars, was killed in a boating accident early Sunday morning. Fernandez was 24. (AP Photo/Gaston De Cardenas)

(AP Photo/Gaston De Cardenas)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

The news shook the baseball world to its core on Sunday. One of the game’s brightest stars was extinguished when Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez was killed along with two others in an early morning boating accident off of Miami beach.

The 24-year-old right-handed pitcher was named 2013 National League Rookie of the year and in his brief four-year major league career he was named to the All-Star game twice and finished third in Cy Young voting in 2013.

It was a promising young career that was tragically cut short. However, during his brief major league career, Fernandez touched many as was evident in the Twitter tributes that poured in on Sunday, including some from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Jose Fernández! Amigo, colega, compatriota. Gracias por los momentos que nos diste en Béisbol! Tu sonrisa estará en nuestros corazones…

— Yasmany Tomas (@eltanquetomas) September 25, 2016

Translation: “Jose Fernandez! Friend, colleague and fellow countryman. Thank you for the moments you gave us in baseball! Your smile will be in our hearts…”

I can't believe this bad news, RIP Jose Fernandez my condolences to his family. Great Player and Great Person.

— David Peralta (@dperalta6) September 25, 2016

Sick to my stomach! José was one of the best guys I've ever met! Had the honor of playing with and against him. You will be missed by all!

— Archie Bradley (@ArchieBradley7) September 25, 2016

RIP José. One of our own. One that I idolized. One of the best. My heart goes out to your family and those of the other victims 🙏🏽

— Rubby De La Rosa ⚾️ (@RubbyDelarosa) September 25, 2016

And then there are some tributes that need no words.

A member of the @Dbacks paid tribute to José Fernández by tracing "16" and "JF" into the dirt of the bullpen at Oriole Park pic.twitter.com/p8GBuZH2Bv

— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) September 25, 2016

It wasn’t just the Diamondbacks, but the rest of baseball was in mourning on Sunday including Fernandez’s teammate Giancarlo Stanton, who is just a big part of the future of the Marlins as Fernandez was.

I'm still waiting to wake up from this nightmare. I lost my brother today and can't quite… https://t.co/1wD0h3IBaG

— Giancarlo Stanton (@Giancarlo818) September 25, 2016

Fernandez defected from Cuba in 2011 after three tries. It’s a similar journey shared by many of his fellow countryman, who took the time honor him, including New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfielder Yasiel Puig.

.@Mets honor José Fernández. pic.twitter.com/wBWsVa5ji9

— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2016

You loved striking me out, and teasing me about it. I'm going to miss you bro💔🙏🏽 #puiglovesyou pic.twitter.com/o3tqohRv5U

— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) September 25, 2016

Hermano, wherever you are, you know how much I loved you. Sin palabras. My heart is with the families. pic.twitter.com/JGVSRYXlMf

— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) September 25, 2016

It’s yet another sign of how close-knit the baseball family is.