Jose Luis Fernandez

Marlins' Dee Gordon breaks down into tears after hitting lead-off home run

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:50 p.m. ET

Dieter Kurtenbach

Dee Gordon took the first pitch of the Marlins' first-at bat since Jose Fernandez's tragic death Sunday from the right-handed batter's box while wearing Fernandez's helmet as a tribute to his late teammate.

The third pitch, he hit a home run.

Just amazing, @FlashGJr. #JDF16 pic.twitter.com/Tgg03ZSJlt
— MLB (@MLB) September 26, 2016

It was Gordon's first home run of the season. He broke down into tears upon reaching home plate, where he was embraced my his Marlins' teammates and coaches.

Dee Gordon lead-off home run. #AintEvenMad #BiggerThanBaseball 1-0 Miami.
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 26, 2016

Dee Gordon moments after he hit a home run to lead things off for the Marlins. #RIPJose pic.twitter.com/UFSRMR84E8
— Holden Kushner (@Holdenradio) September 26, 2016

Fernandez, 24, a two-time All-Star, died in a boating accident Sunday. The Marlins cancelled Sunday's contest.

The entire Miami team wore No. 16 "Fernandez" jerseys on Monday against the Mets. It's the last time any Marlin will wear that number, as the club announced Monday that Fernandez's No. 16 jersey will be retired by the team -- the franchise's first jersey retirement.

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Jose Luis Fernandez

Dee Strange-Gordon

Miami Marlins

Major League Baseball