Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Marlins honor heroes of '97 World Series
MIAMI — The Marlins reached back to one of their most glorious moments for inspiration for Opening Week at Marlins Park.
Edgar Renteria, who provided the walk-off hit in the 1997 World Series, threw out one of the ceremonial pitches Tuesday along with Livan Hernandez, MVP of that series, and two-time All-Star catcher Charles Johnson.
It was Hernandez, remembered for his heartfelt shout of “I love you, Miami!” in celebration of the championship, whose presence in Little Havana was most poignant in stirring the memory of Jose Fernandez, who was killed in a boating accident Sept. 25.
Fernandez’s absence loomed as large over the Marlins’ home opener as the roof above the field. His locker, preserved behind plexiglass in the Marlins clubhouse, was the most visible reminder.
Like Fernandez, Hernandez was a Cuban-born righthander who defected to the United States in pursuit of freedom and opportunity in baseball, and made indelible marks in Marlins history. There is a photo of the two together on the field Marlins Park that appeared on the MLB blog On Cloud Conine a few seasons ago.
Their numbers are bookends in Marlins history — Fernandez wore 16, Hernandez 61 — and so were their stories.
“He was young, he was very exciting on the mound. You had to watch every game he pitched because something new was coming every game,” Hernandez said, noting that he and Fernandez were from the same city in Cuba and shared a similar joy for the game. “I enjoyed every moment I played baseball. I laughed, I’d make a joke and do a lot of stuff. He used to be the same way.
“It’s a big loss for the [Marlins] organization and for the city of Miami. It is very sad.”
The appearance of Hernandez, Renteria and Johnson began a season-long celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Marlins’ first World Series championship.
There was no official tribute to Fernandez during Opening Day festivities aside from a brief image of his number on the giant video board.
Team president David Samson said the Marlins are planning a day to honor Fernandez but are proceeding at a deliberate pace in consideration of the late pitcher’s family. A date has not been set.
“It’s sensitive, it’s emotional,” Samson said. “We talk about it as being something that happened last year, but it’s only been six months. It’s fresh and it still hurts, barely scabbed over. We want to wait for a little more healing.”
Samson said he and owner Jeffrey Loria invited members of Fernandez’s family to attend Tuesday’s game.
“It was their call completely,” Samson said. “I know Jeffrey invited them to sit with him. The players invited them to be around them. I invited them to be with me. It was a lot of choices and I think they felt from an emotional standpoint that it was better for them to stay away tonight.”
Asked if Fernandez would be on his mind, Christian Yelich said, “Probably, his locker is over there. He’s still part of this team, still part of this family. It’s something that you don’t really get over, you really just learn to deal with it.”
Fernandez’s locker remains where the pitcher always dressed in the corner of the clubhouse next to the entrance to the bathroom. In addition to his uniform, there are four pairs of shoes, shower sandals and the Marlins’ 2016 schedule magnet.
A No. 16 patch like players are wearing on their jerseys is affixed to the glass. Above it is the word “love.”
“I was in here for the [World Baseball Classic]. Seeing it for the first time, it was a little eerie,” Yelich said. “It’s one of those things that it’s a reminder, one of those things where you just realize, don’t take anything for granted, don’t take this team for granted. You never know how many days or games you’re going to get. So just appreciate them.”
That message will continue to resonate as Fernandez’s locker will remain a fixture in the clubhouse.
“I thought it was a great tribute,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said, adding that the team is still going through the grieving process.
“I think Jose is with us all the time. His energy and his personality and his joy for the game stay with us, hopefully forever.”