Miami Marlins Coach Don Mattingly Reacts to Jose Fernandez's Death, Recalls 'Joy' of His Passion For Baseball
In a voice choked with emotion, Miami Marlins coach Don Mattingly, recalled the "joy" of watching pitcher Jose Fernandez play baseball, during a press conference on Sunday. Fernandez, 24, died in a boating accident early Sunday morning, along with two other men.
"I see such a little boy in him with the way he played," Mattingly told reporters, speaking haltingly and visibly distressed. "There was just joy with him when he played, and when he pitched. And I think that's what the guys would say, too."
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"As mad as he would make you with some of the stuff he would do, you just see that little kid you see when you watch kids play little league or something like that," the coach added. "That's the joy Jose played with and the passion he felt about playing."
A very emotional Don Mattingly reflects on his joy managing José Fernández. https://t.co/5D6Xbc1aHA pic.twitter.com/EvEkloRYHG
— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2016
Fernandez was a rising star and his death has understandably hit the baseball community hard. Major League Baseball tweeted a heartbreaking video of Marlins infielder Dee Gordon kneeling at the mound in front of an impromptu memorial with Ferndandez's jersey number, 16, and a baseball cap.
No. 16, forever in our hearts.
Dee Gordon will never forget his friend, José Fernández. pic.twitter.com/sCFlNhrRMN— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2016
Friends, teammates and fellow baseball pros took to social media to mourn their loss.
"I'm still waiting to wake up from this nightmare. I lost my brother today and can't quite comprehend it. The shock is overwhelming," wrote Marlins teammate Giancarlo Stanton in an emotional Instagram post. "What he meant to me, our team, the city of Miami, Cuba & everyone else in the world that his enthusiasm/heart has touched can never be replaced. I can't fathom what his family is going through because we, as his extended family, are a wreck.
"I gave him the nickname Niño because he was just a young boy amongst men," he continued. "Yet those men could barely compete with him. He had his own level, one that was changing the game. EXTRAORDINARY, as a person before the player. Yet still just a kid, who's joy lit up the stadium more than lights could. A kid whose time came too soon. One that I will miss & never forget. Rest In Peace Niño, Jose Fernandez."
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Hall of Famer Mike Piazza also weighed in, tweeting, "Shocked and saddened at the news of #JoseFernandez passing, a tragic end to a man with talent and passion, May the Lord grant eternal rest."
Shocked and saddened at the news of #JoseFernandez passing, a tragic end to a man with talent and passion, May the Lord grant eternal rest.
— Mike Piazza (@mikepiazza31) September 25, 2016
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder and fellow Cuban Yasiel Puig tweeted a photo of himself with a smiling Fernandez, captioning it, "You loved striking me out, and teasing me about it. I'm going to miss you bro."
You loved striking me out, and teasing me about it. I'm going to miss you bro💔🙏🏽 #puiglovesyou pic.twitter.com/o3tqohRv5U
— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) September 25, 2016
"I'm proud to have called Jose Fernandez my friend and teammate," wrote former Marlins player Grant Dayton. "He always made me smile. I will miss him and my heart breaks for his family."
I'm proud to have called Jose Fernandez my friend and teammate. He always made me smile. I will miss him and my heart breaks for his family
— Grant Dayton (@GrantDayton) September 25, 2016
More reactions poured in as the news spread.
Many prayers for the family and friends of Jose Fernandez. Baseball lost one of its best young ambassadors all too soon. #RIPJoseFernandez
— James McCann (@JamesMcCann34) September 25, 2016
Saddened by the news of Jose Fernandez. My thoughts and prayers to his family and the Marlins Org. Sad day around baseball #RIPJose
— Carson Kelly (@carskelly) September 25, 2016
My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Jose Fernandez. Jose represented hope, inspiration and greatness.
— Dan Marino (@DanMarino) September 25, 2016
So sad hearing about Jose Fernandez, thoughts and prayers for him and his family RIP
— Drew Pomeranz (@DrewPomeranz) September 25, 2016
One time for Jose Fernandez... #Gone2Soon
— Lance Briggs (@LanceBriggs) September 25, 2016
Absolutely tragic day for the game of baseball. RIP Jose Fernandez. Prayers go out to all of his family & friends on this terrible day.
— Bryce Denton (@brycedenton25) September 25, 2016
Today is a sad day in baseball. Jose Fernandez brought an intensity to this game that could naturally ignite an entire stadium #RIPJose
— andrew mccutchen (@TheCUTCH22) September 25, 2016
Wow I'm still shock and in disbelief RIP Jose Fernandez one the most electrifying pitcher in the game today #RIPJoseFernandez
— Cj Edwards (@CEdwardsSBS) September 25, 2016
Man I'm in a daze thinking about the loss of Jose Fernandez. So tragic. No words. Hug your loves ones and pray for his.
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) September 25, 2016
Terrible news about Jose Fernandez. Thoughts and prayers for his family and friends.
— Jacob deGrom (@JdeGrom19) September 25, 2016
Still in disbelief abt the Jose Fernandez news. RIP bro & my prayers go 2 the fam.
— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) September 25, 2016
Just last week, Fernandez posted a beautiful photo of his pregnant girlfriend looking forward to welcoming their first child. "I'm so glad you came into my life," he wrote. "I'm ready for where this journey is gonna take us together. #familyfirst."
A photo posted by Jose Fernandez (@jofez16) on Sep 19, 2016 at 8:23pm PDT
Fernandez was born in Cuba but defected to America in 2008, saving his mother's life when she was washed overboard along the way.
Jose Fernandez fled to America at 15 on a small boat. Mom fell off into pitch-black waters. He jumped in & saved her https://t.co/l8nbgkvXks
— Jonah Keri (@jonahkeri) September 25, 2016
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