Baseball world mourns Jose — ‘It’s like a bright light just went out’

MIAMI — The white steel gates around the ballpark were locked. Above them a sign announced the game had been canceled. Behind the third-base entrance, flowers, candles, T-shirts, jerseys and one giant poster of Jose Fernandez’s smiling face told the awful reason why Marlins Park was closed Sunday afternoon.

The devastating news spread quickly, that Fernandez, the joyous 24-year-old ace, had died early Sunday morning in a boat crash. In Miami, the Cuban pitcher was more than the face of the franchise; he was connected to their community as a fellow baseball fan.

“He came from Cuba like we did, he is a part of the community,” Maria Falls said. Her family of five arrived in their orange Fernandez jerseys to pay their respects. Wiping away a tear, she added “It’s like part of our family is gone.”

Her 13-year-old daughter Natalie added: “It’s like a bright light just went out.”

Inside the park, the Marlins were trying to deal with the same feelings.

The team canceled its Sunday series finale with the Braves. The field crew stenciled Fernandez’s No. 16 onto the mound at Marlins Park and his hat sat atop the rubber he had commanded. The giant scoreboard also had his number and name on it.

Several Marlins were openly crying as they gathered behind Marlins president David Samson, GM Michael Hall and manager Don Mattingly at a news conference to confirm the tragedy.

“When I think about Jose ... I see such a little boy in him,” said Mattingly, losing a battle to fight back tears. “That’s the joy that Jose played with, and the passion he felt about playing.”

Samson said that the Marlins would finish the remaining six games of their season, beginning Monday with the Mets coming to town. The Marlins said this was partly as a tribute to Fernandez’s obvious love for the game. It will not be easy. “We’re not robots,” said third baseman Martin Prado, who fought back tears. “We’re humans, and we feel. I understand the fact that we’ve got to play games, and we’ve got to be professional about it. But in our hearts, there is a lot of pain.”

The news broke Sunday morning as the Braves’ first bus from the hotel was en route to the stadium. Players came off the bus crying. Pain and sorrow rang out across the sport, but it wasn’t confined to the clubhouse or fraternity of baseball.

Fernandez escaped Communist Cuba after several failed attempts to defect, including one attempt that landed him in jail. During his escape, Fernandez dodged gunfire and jumped into the Gulf of Mexico to save his mother during the journey.

He personified the Cuban-American dream to many fans outside Marlins Park.

“He was the inspiration, not only to me, but for my son who is 23 years old like Jose was,” said Robert Palenzuela, who placed flowers on the growing shrine with his wife Irsa. “I wanted so much for him because of our Latin, Cuban culture. We supported him….Where he came from to come over here, learn the language, break all those barriers, the sacrifices he made, to have it end the way it did. Tragic.”

But his infectious smile and the joy Fernandez had playing the game transcended language and culture. The Marlins’ first-round draft pick in 2011 and the National League rookie of the year in 2013, he was to many the future face of baseball.

“I am not Cuban, and I know he meant a lot to the Cuban community, but he extended beyond just that, he reached everybody,” said Megan Bell. She and her father Kevin Bell fought back emotions as they talked about the fun they had watching Fernandez. “It’s such a loss.”

Going into what was to be his last start of the season Monday, Fernandez was 16-8 with a 2.86 ERA this season, earning his second appearance in the All-Star Game. He was was 38-17 with a 2.58 ERA in 76 career starts for the Marlins.

Donna Tunks openly wept as she talked about Fernandez, saying “he could have been like one of my children.” She talked about his struggle to get here and how he held onto his joy of life. She said she had the honor of watching Fernandez shut out the Nationals for eight innings on Sept. 3, his last start. Tunks wants the Marlins to recognize that connection and honor it.

“The Marlins have never retired a number,” said Tunks, who wore an autographed No. 16 Fernandez jersey Sunday. “He meant a lot to all of us and that would be such an honor for us to have him be the first number retired here.”