More Than Just a Game: Aledmys Diaz and Jose Fernandez’s Friendship

Everyone throughout baseball felt the impact of Jose Fernandez’s death, but Aledmys Diaz experienced something beyond the rest of the league.

While Jose Fernandez’s death was being mourned by MLB players, coaches, cities, and fans, Aledmys Diaz honored #16 on a more personal level. The St. Louis Cardinals All-Star shortstop hit a grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds one day following the memorial service for Jose Fernandez. The fans who caught the meaningful home run returned it to Diaz following the game.

Aledmys Diaz and fellow Cuban Brayan Pena hung a personalized Jose Fernandez jersey in the dugout prior to the game. But hanging this jersey in #16’s honor meant a bit more to Diaz.

Many may not know that Aledmys and Jose were childhood friends. They grew up a few doors away from one another in Santa Clara, Cuba. They also used to walk to their neighborhood park to play baseball together. Their families were close, and Fernandez has stated that Diaz’s father was the reason he became a baseball player.

Diaz spent most of September 26 in Florida with Fernandez’s family as well as his own. He spoke to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about the impact it had.

“I think it meant a lot to them,” he said. “They see me maybe like a son, and I’m just thankful the organization gave me a chance to go and share that with the family. Me like a brother for him, the least I can do is go share that moment.”

He returned to St. Louis late on Monday to witness the remaining five innings of the game. The following day, he brought life to Busch Stadium by hitting that emotional grand slam, the first of his career.

Aledmys Diaz now dedicates every game to his childhood friend. He credits Fernandez for being the perfect role model for all Cuban players and athletes.

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“He’s the perfect example,” Diaz said. “He came to this country with the great American dream and was very grateful to this country as I think every Cuban who came here to give us everything. We can live in freedom and play the game. He’s the perfect example of every Cuban-American living the American dream.”

Fernandez and Diaz last saw each other during the 2016 All-Star Game, where they were teammates. They also faced one another in a series between the Cardinals and Miami Marlins. Diaz hit a two-run home run and a double against Fernandez. Fernandez responded by saying he was going to strike him out three times next season. It was the first and only time these two would face off in MLB.

At a time when Fernandez was being honored across the country by many, Diaz did it in his own way. Diaz’s life is forever changed by the loss of his long-time friend. Diaz stated, “I look at life different right now. Sometimes, we just take things for granted. You never know when the last opportunity you’ll have to come here and play. So every time I put on a uniform, I’m going to enjoy, and play hard.’’

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That type of outlook for each game was what Jose Fernandez lived. Everyone saw the passion and love of the game when Fernandez was in the stadium. He didn’t even need to be pitching for fans to witness his joy and excitement. Now, it is on other players like Diaz to carry that legacy.