It’s been just over 48 hours since tragedy unfolded just off the shores of Miami, but that still doesn’t seem like enough time to process what has happened.
We’re still all reeling from the loss of Miami Marlins ace pitcher Jose Fernandez, killed in a tragic boating accident just a few days ago. He was all of 24 years old. Last night, the Marlins played a game for the first time since his death, and left their emotions on the field. The entire team wore Fernandez’s #16 jersey, with his name on the back, and as it was made mention of before the game, no one would ever wear the #16 in Marlins history again.
If you’re a baseball fan, the decision made sense. If you’re a Marlins fan, the decision was necessary. Jose Fernandez may have only played in four major league seasons, but the impact he left behind on the team, and the community, are ones that will be remembered for all time.
Not long after the news was announced of Fernandez’s passing, many fans quickly began to implore the Marlins to retire his number, even starting a petition to do so. For you see, it wasn’t just what he did on the field, but off it as well.
Other players may have had better overall numbers with the franchise. Josh Beckett had more wins. Dontrelle Willis had more strikeouts. Future hall-of-famers Ivan Rodriguez and Miguel Cabrera played there. The Marlins have had a history of exciting young pitchers, including Beckett, Willis, Josh Johnson, Livan Hernandez, A.J. Burnett, and yes, even Kevin Brown. But in the 23-year history of the franchise, not one of these players, none that contributed to two World Series Championships, were deemed worthy of having their number retired by the Marlins. In fact, the only number retired by the team is that of Jackie Robinson, which was retired league-wide in 1997.
I guess it speaks to the kind of person Jose Fernandez was that after only four short seasons, his number will soon be hanging from the rafters in the Marlins ballpark. It was his joy and exuberance for the game that made him so lovable on the field. It was his charitable efforts and philanthropy that made him so lovable off the field. He was one of those rare ballplayers that played the game like a kid, as if he were still in little league, according to his manager, Don Mattingly. He always had a smile on his face, and always reminded us that baseball can still be fun, while dominating in a way that made every outing of his must-see.
But it can’t be forgotten how special he was outside of the ballpark. As a young man who defected from Cuba on his fourth try, he had a special connection with the large Cuban and Latin American population in the Miami area. Many of these Cuban Americans had stories similar to his, and they saw his success as their own. He was one of their own. There weren’t too many people that Fernandez didn’t know. He was friends with police, firefighters, and some of the first responders on the scene of the accident personally knew him. The day before his death, he met with a young woman with end-stage kidney disease.
He was an advocate for childhood cancer. Plus, who can forget the love and devotion for his mother and grandmother?
All he wanted to do was live the American Dream, and in 2015, he officially became a U.S. citizen. But it turns out, he was living the American Dream all along. He took a risk in life that most of us wouldn’t be brave enough to attempt. He found his dream job, and he was damn good at it. He was an inspiration for an entire country. People chanted his name, wore shirts with his name on the back, and asked him for autographs and photos. When he died, a nation mourned. I’d say he accomplished something in his tragically short life.
So for a franchise that has not done many things right in their tenure, retiring the #16 was absolutely the right move. It’s hard to argue if any Marlins player ever had a bigger impact on or off the field. He was a ray of shining light. A smile was always draped across his face; despite the hardships he had faced in life. His love for the game was undeniable. He was a true example of how each of us should live our lives; with joy in our hearts, and a big smile on our face. We can all learn a lot from this young man. I believe the Marlins did. I believe the Marlins fans did. I believe that’s why his number will never be worn again. No one could have filled Jose’s shoes, and we wouldn’t want them to. His loss is just too great, and one that will take a long time to heal. But for as long as the Marlins are around, people can pass down the legacy of Jose. Tell our children, our grandchildren. Let them know why his number is the only one that hangs in Miami colors. Let them know how special he was. It’s hard not to think of what could have been. But now, all we have left are the memories. It’s up to us to keep those going forever. Be proud to point out the #16. Be proud to tell his story. I think that is how he would want us to remember him.
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