It is truly with a heavy heart I write this piece on one of my favorite pitchers in the Major Leagues, and his passing Saturday Night. Cuban Born Pitcher Jose Fernandez and two other men were killed in what the Coast Guard is calling a boating accident. Fernandez was scheduled to start today's game vs. the Atlanta Braves, but was pushed back one day for tomorrow's start before the incident occured. The Miami Marlins have cancelled todays game as a result of the news.
Fernadez was an up-incoming star in the League. He was untouchable at home, which the Royals found out in August, and actually had the best home winning percentage OF ALL TIME. In fact Fernandez pitched his first three years as a pro without lossing at home. He was 17-0 until the Tigers snapped that streak at home in April of 2016. He posted 38 wins in his career against just 17 losses and a career ERA of 2.58. And in his final performance of his young life he went 8 scoreless innings against the first place Washington Nationals. He struck out 12 on his way to earning a 1-0 victory. This is just a glimpse as to the true Ace status this kid deserved.
Fernandez was a huge personality as well. A fan favorite not just in Miami, but all over the league, he burst on the scene in 2013 winning 12 games in his rookie campaign, and striking out 153 batters. These numbers were good enough to earn him Rookie of the Year honors and 3rd place in the Cy Young Award running. Tommy John Surgery slowed him down a bit in 2014, but in 2015 he came back mid-season and picked up where he left off. In just 64 innings Fernandez managed a 6-1 record and struck out 79 batters. But 2016 was by far his best season to date. He was 16-8 with a 2.86 ERA and had already struck out 253 batters (Second only to Max Scherzer in all of the MLB). These stats earned him his second All-Star game nod.
Fernandez was a great pitcher, and bright young star. I truly loved his firey ways on the mound, and his huge smile in the dugout. He was a Cuban Born player that was starting to make it in the main stream American Culture, marketing departments from appareal companies to energy drinks were flocking to him as a spokesman. A bright and shining star in the MLB shot across the sky last night. Everyone who saw him knew how special he was, and this will leave a void in the sky for sometime to come.
RIP Jose, you will truly be missed
