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It would be impossible for the Miami Marlins to ever forget about Jose Fernandez. But now, the organization is honoring his life by retiring his number.
On Sunday, 24-year-old Jose Fernandez was killed in a boating accident. The Miami Marlins canceled their game to mourn and don’t plan to make it up unless it impacts their potential playoff race. One day after his death, Marlins owner, Jeffrey Loria, announced that Jose Fernandez’s No. 16 would be retired.
For Monday night’s game against the New York Mets, every Marlins player wore number 16. But after that game, no Marlin will ever wear it again. Other than Jackie Robinson’s No. 42, Fernandez’s No. 16 is the only number retired in the Miami Marlins organization.
Everyone in the Marlins organization has love for Jose Fernandez and he was an icon for the sport of baseball. His passion, excitement, and his smile created so many memories for so many people. The Marlins along with every team in Major League Baseball held a moment of silence before their games Sunday. The NFL’s Miami Dolphins followed suit before their game against the Cleveland Browns.
Traditionally, retiring numbers in baseball is a way of remembering an all-time great player. Jose Fernandez was only in his fourth season at the major league level. Despite that, he was well on his way to become one of the best of his generation.
Jose Fernandez earned two All-Star appearances and won the 2013 National League Rookie of the Year. Furthermore he has never posted an era above 2.92 and had 589 strikeouts in 471.1 career innings. The young Cuban was one of the most electrifying pitchers in the game.
The fan favorite star always was dominant at home. He holds a major league record of having the most consecutive home wins to start a career with 17 at Marlins park. Now, Jose Fernandez’s number 16 and memory will rest there forever.
Rest in peace #16.
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