Mets, Yanks mourn ‘one of greatest’

JOSE FERNANDEZ: 1992-2016

MEMBERS OF the Mets and Yankees expressed their shock Sunday at the sudden death of Jose Fernandez, the star pitcher who had both frustrated them at the plate and won their admiration on the field. and Yoenis Cespedes, who like Fernandez defected from Cuba, hung a jersey in the Mets dugout bearing the Miami Marlin’s name and number 16. Mets skipper Terry Collins, in the middle of a tight wild card race, asked during a somber pregame press conference that he only be asked questions about Fernandez, who died in a boat crash in Miami at the age of 24. “This is not only one of the greatest pitchers in the modern game, but one of the finest young men you’d ever meet. He played the game with passion,” Collins said.

“It was fun to watch him. He loved to be out there. So this is a sad day … Shocking, for sure.”

Yankees infielder Donovan Solano became tight with Fernandez while playing on the Marlins from 2013-15.

“When I played over there, we were very close,” Solano said, recalling a bond with several Latino players on the team.

“All the Latins over there were very close. I know his family, his mom, his grandma, his uncle. I’m so sad. I’m just so sorry for the family. I’m still in shock from the news.”

Yanks catcher Brian McCann — who had an infamous run-in with Fernandez when the pitcher hit his first career home run against the Atlanta Braves in 2013 — praised the young star.

“Beyond devastating. I woke up this morning and saw the news. It’s sickening,” McCann said. “One of those competitors you loved competing against because you knew he was going to bring his best. He was one of the best pitchers in the game.”

Yanks manager Joe Girardi also expressed his admiration for Fernandez.

Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom called the accident “very tragic.”

“You don’t want to take this for granted. And I don’t think he did. Every day he went out there and gave 100% and he put it all out on the field,” deGrom said.