American sport has been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, who died earlier today in a boating accident.
Media in Miami reported news of a boating accident off the coast of Miami had killed three people, one of whom has proved to be Fernandez.
The Miami Marlins confirmed the news in a statement:
Statement from the Miami Marlins organization: pic.twitter.com/6A4Rv6m2g9
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 25, 2016
Fernandez was one of the stars of the sport. He was voted among the best players in the league in 2013 and 2016, was voted Rookie of the Year in 2013 and boasted a 100mph pitch speed.
More incredible than his precocious career has been the road he took to get there. Fernandez was born in Cuba, but his family were desperate to escape across the border and emigrate to the United States. They ultimately did: but had to dodge a hail of bullets from the Cuban coastguard while escaping on a boat. Fernandez leapt into the water to rescue somebody who had fallen overboard, only realising afterward that it was his own mother he had rescued.
I dove to help a person not thinking who that person was.
Imagine when I realized it was my own mother. If that does not leave a mark on you for the rest of your life, I don't know what will.
Extraordinary. His grandmother Olga stayed behind in Cuba, and it wasn't until 2014 that she first saw her grandson pitch. The video is here, and it is deeply, deeply moving:
https://youtu.be/w5JW7fcf1qg
What an incredible man.
How deeply sad.
There will be a moments' silence at the Miami Dolphins game tonight as a mark of respect.
