Miami Marlins Pitcher Jose Fernandez Dies in Boating Accident
By David Hill
In absolutely stunning and tragic news, the Miami Marlins and the baseball world have been shocked as Jose Fernandez died in a boating accident early this morning.
It is said that nothing good ever happens after midnight. All too often, we see stories of players, be it professional or college, regardless of the sport, getting into trouble after that time. Let’s face it – professional athletes are potential targets from anyone trying to make a quick buck or two whenever they go out into the community.
And then, there are the tragic accidents that can occur. Even if a player is doing nothing wrong, mistakes can be made and accidents happen. It was one of those accidents which has tragically taken the life of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Ferndandez at 24 years old.
Fernandez was out with a group of people on a boat when it hit a jetty at approximately 3:30 AM this morning, capsizing the boat. The Coast Guard, which searching the area, found the body of Fernandez, along with two other men, at the scene. It is suspected that speed is a factor, but that drugs and alcohol were not involved. None of the three were wearing life jackets when they were found. In light of the tragedy, the Marlins have cancelled today’s game.
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With this tragic accident, baseball has lost one of its great young stars. Although he was only 24 years old, Fernandez had already built an impressive resume. He was a two time All Star, and won the 2013 Rookie of the Year award. His 16-8 record, to go along with a 2.28 ERA, 1.119 WHiP, and 253 strikeouts in 182.1 innings, would likely garner votes for the Cy Young award.
It brings to mind other tragedies where a young star died unexpectedly. Just two years ago, Oscar Taveras was killed when he and his girlfriend got into a car accident, hitting a tree while driving drunk. Steve Olin and Tim Crews of the Cleveland Indians were killed in a boating accident during Spring Training in 1993, when Crews, who was drunk, crashed into a pier.
Naturally, this leaves behind a huge hole in the Marlins rotation, but this is not the time to consider such things. This is a time to look back and remember the life, and career, of a charismatic young star whose life was taken far too soon.
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The Miami Marlins suffered a stunning loss last night, losing star pitcher Jose Fernandez at only 24 years old.