I was getting ready for work when I got a notification on my phone. Jose Fernandez, the young superstar pitcher for the Marlins, had died in a boating accident. My first reaction when I heard the news was, No! No! No! Not again! Back in 2014, young Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras was killed in a car crash. As a Cardinal fan, my mind immediately raced to flashbacks of the night I heard about that. Taveras had just finished his rookie season, not the best year but everyone knew he had the talent. He was going to be a star for years to come. Fernandez was already a star. At the age of 24, he had won Rookie of the Year, was a 2 time all-star and considered one of the best pitchers in baseball. But more important than who he was as a baseball player was who he was as a person. Fernandez had a passion for the game that was infectious. When he was out on the mound, there was a fire in him. He wanted to win and he knew he had the talent to do so. It was going to happen. But at the same time, he also had more fun than maybe anyone else in the league. He remembered one of the key parts to baseball. Playing. He enjoyed everything about it. Fernandez found the right mix of these two emotions. He never let one get too far ahead of the other.
Knowing Fernandez is gone is tragic. A life taken much too soon. And everything about him will be missed. Be it his talent, passion for the game, fun-loving attitude or his movie star smile. Rest In Peace #16. Baseball won't be the same without you.
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