Jose Fernandez

September 25, 2016, a day that will go down as one of the most tragic days in Major League Baseball history. Miami Marlins pitcher and ace, Jose Fernandez and two of his close friends, died in a boating accident, in the city of Miami. Jose was only 24 years old and had a very bright future, not just for the Marlins organization, but for the whole entire league. Jose made his MLB debut in early 2013 and showed flashes of being an ace by posting 2.13 ERA (Earned run average) and had a 12-6 record and earned Rookie of the Year award that same year. Before his death he was fourth in the race for the National League Cy Young award in 2016.

Jose had a very hard life growing up. He and his family tried to defect from Cuba three times and were finally successful in 2007. He then settled with his family in Tampa Bay, Florida in 2008.

Jose’s death was not just tragic for his family, but for the Marlins organization as well. Don Mattingly, Marlins Manager, had to say this about the sudden death of Jose. "I see such a little boy in him ... with the way he played. There's just joy with him when he played. When he pitched, I think that's what the guys will say too. As mad as he would make you with some of the stuff he would do, you just see that little kid that you see when ... you watch kids play little league or something like that. That's the joy that Jose played with. The passion he felt about playing, that's what I think about." - (Fox Sports).

During the next Marlins game, the players and staff circled around the mound and mourned the death of Jose. It was a very emotional night for the city of Miami and for Major League Baseball. Jose Fernandez will never be forgotten and will go down as one of the best pitchers who never got the chance to finish his career.