Major League Baseball

Marlins players gather at park to grieve death of Fernandez

Published Sep. 25, 2016 2:11 p.m. ET

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MIAMI (AP) The Latest on the boating death of Miami Marlins pitching ace Jose Fernandez (all times local):

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12:35 p.m.

Miami Marlins players gathered at the team's ballpark to grieve together following the death of teammate Jose Fernandez.

''A lot of words were said, meaningful words and emotion and prayer,'' Marlins president David Samson said. ''Jose is a member of this family for all time.''

Samson spoke at a news conference, surrounded by more than two dozen players wearing Marlins jerseys - the black ones.

Manager Don Mattingly and president of baseball operations Michael Hill flanked Samson and fought back tears.

''`When I think about Jose, it's going to be thinking about a little kid,'' Mattingly said. ''I see such a little boy in him ... the way he played. ... Kids play Little League, that's the joy Jose played with.''

The Marlins' game Sunday against Atlanta was canceled. Their home game Monday night against the New York Mets will be played as scheduled, the team said.

''Deep in our hearts there is a lot of pain,'' third baseman Martin Prado said. ''Somehow we've got to overcome that.''

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12:25 p.m.

The owner of the Miami Marlins says he is feeling the ''deepest sorrow'' over the death of Jose Fernandez.

Jeffrey Loria released a statement early Sunday afternoon saying he, his family and the entire organization is mourning Fernandez's death.

Loria says that ''sadly, the brightest lights are often the ones that extinguish the fastest.''

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10:55 a.m.

Authorities in Florida say Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez was not wearing a life vest when he was killed in a boating crash off Miami Beach early Sunday.

An official from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told reporters that Fernandez was with two friends when the 32-foot SeaVee that they were traveling in hit rocks and capsized during a boating trip.

Lorenzo Veloz of the fish commission said the boat was found upside down. Two bodies were found under the vessel and one was found in the water by divers.

The boat was traveling full speed and was demolished. There was no evidence of alcohol or illegal substances being a factor in the crash.

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10:45 a.m.

Major League Baseball released a statement saying it was ''stunned and devastated'' by news of the death of ace right-hander Jose Fernandez.

The 24-year-old pitcher was killed in a boat crash early Sunday off Miami Beach. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating. Two other people died.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred called Fernandez one of baseball's ''great young stars'' who made a dramatic impact on and off the field since his debut in 2013.

Manfred said: ''Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, the Miami Marlins organization and all of the people he touched in his life.''

The Marlins' game Sunday at home against the Atlanta Braves has been canceled.

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The Miami Marlins have announced the death of ace right-hander Jose Fernandez.

The U.S. Coast Guard says Fernandez was one of three people killed in a boat crash off Miami Beach early Sunday.

The Marlins did not immediately release details, other than releasing a statement confirming the death of one of the top pitchers in baseball.

In the statement, the Marlins say they are ''devastated by the tragic loss of Jos� Fern�ndez. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.''

The Marlins' game Sunday at home against the Atlanta Braves has been canceled.

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