Memorial service set for Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez

With Jose Fernandez’s tragic death still fresh in their minds, the Miami Marlins can at least be thankful that more players weren’t involved in the horrific boat accident early Sunday morning.

A public memorial for the 24-year-old star pitcher is set Wednesday afternoon. In 2011, the Miami Marlins drafted him in the first round of the MLB Draft.

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria was out of town but planned to fly to Miami. A Marlins team official stepped out and handed Cuban and American flags to owner Felipe Valls, who held them up as the procession rolled past. Those who loved Fernandez lined the streets of Miami to say their goodbyes during the processional. They kept their hands on the hearse, not wanting to let go of the 24-year-old.

Right fielder Giancarlo Stanton estimated that he has slept a total of about six hours in the three days since Fernandez died. A stream of tears flowed down the face of former Marlin Jeff Conine. It nearly felt like he was one of us out there. The passion and emotion that Fernandez had for the game was unique.

“He taught us a lesson of how we’re supposed to be”.

After leaving the stadium, the funeral procession was to make a brief stop at Ermita de la Caridad (Shrine of Our Lady of Charity), on South Miami Avenue, for a blessing.

Through Cassi and Jackie, I learned that every Cuban ballplayer here in the States didn’t have the luxury of flying home to see family, or the option to call after every game.

Cleveland teammates Steve Olin and Tim Crews were killed in a boating accident in Florida in 1993, and the game also reeled from the sudden deaths of major leaguers Darryl Kile, Lyman Bostock and Cory Lidle in recent years. Fernandez was killed in a boating accident early Sunday, and was a patron at a Miami River bar before going out on the boat.

METS: Batting second in each of the first five innings, Tim Tebow wasted no time hitting the first pitch he saw from Cardinals lefty John Kilichowski, a 2016 draftee who played in Class A short season, for a home run in an instructional league game.

“That was his spirit pushing Gordon along”, Guerrero said. The tributes by the Marlins, several players, and the league as a whole show that everyone has each other’s backs and MLB has created a family-like atmosphere that can not be broken.

He said Fernandez, 24, was a shining example for Cubans who often risk their lives at sea to come to the USA seeking freedom. “He was so special, so energetic, so charismatic”.

“I feel awful. My staff all loved him”, Valls said. During games, interviews, and public team events, he didn’t seem like a closed-off professional athlete.

As hearse began to move along Felo Ramirez Drive – at 2:16 p.m., a nod to the No. 16 jersey Fernandez wore – the crowd started a chant of “Jose!”.