Miami Marlins: Dee Gordon hits an emotional home run

Dee Gordon honors his fallen friend with a dramatic first-inning home run for the Miami Marlins.

In a moment that seemed as if it were part of a Hollywood script, Miami Marlins’ second baseman Dee Gordon came up to bat in the first inning of Monday night’s game against the New York Mets and hit a home run on the third pitch.

Gordon’s teammate José Fernández was killed in a boating accident early Sunday morning and the Marlins were returning to the field for the first time since the tragic news broke. Their game against the Braves was cancelled on Sunday.

Before Monday’s game against the Mets, the Marlins honored their fallen teammate and friend Jose Fernandez with a moment of silence and a somber recording of “Take Me Out To the Ballgame,” which was accompanied by a video montage of Fernández.

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The Marlins then made their way to the pitching mound and knelt down next to it, some of the players wrote “16” into the dirt. Giancarlo Stanton spoke to the team as they all huddled in the middle of the infield and they were ready to play.

Most of the players had tears in their eyes for the top of the first inning. Third baseman Martin Prado used his jersey to wipe away his tears. Rookie Adam Conley, who was scheduled to pitch Sunday against the Braves, gave up a single to Asrdubal Cabrera, but got out of the inning when Curtis Granderson lined out to left fielder Marcell Ozuna.

Gordon wore Fernandez’s batting helmet and took the first pitch of the at bat as a righty to honor his friend. He then tossed the helmet to the ballboy and switched to the left handed batter box for pitch number two.

On the third pitch of the at bat, Gordon connected on a 85 mph offering from Mets’ starter Bartolo Colon that got too much of the plate and sent it into the second deck in right field. Gordon rounded the bases with tears in his eyes and by the time he reached home plate, he had broken down completely. He then hit his chest with his fist twice and raised his fist to the sky.

Gordon was greeted by his teammates and coaches in the Marlins’ dugout with hugs while the crowd cheered enthusiastically.

The entire Marlins’ team honored Fernandez by wearing his jersey—with his number and name—for Monday night’s game. The Marlins announced that Fernandez’s number will be retired and that Monday would be the last day anyone wears it.

Next: The legacy of Jose Fernandez

As for Gordon, his first inning home run was his first of the year. The timing of it was pretty unbelievable. Perhaps there was some divine intervention.