Dee Gordon hit an unforgettable leadoff home run in the Miami Marlins first game since the tragic death of pitcher José Fernández.
Fernández was honored on Monday after he was killed in a boating accident over the weekend. After an emotional pregame ceremony that featured a single horn playing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and multiple players weeping openly on the field, the Marlins and Mets played a game crucial to New York’s wild card push.
Marlins pitcher Adam Conley, starting in Fernández’s spot in the rotation, set down the Mets quietly in the top of the first. Gordon then led off the bottom half of the inning for Marlins. Gordon — a left-handed batter — took the first pitch fastball from New York Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon in the right batter’s box as a tribute to Fernández.
Dee Gordon just took the 1st pitch in the bottom of the 1st wearing Jose's helmet, batting right handed with Jose's batting stance. #JF16 pic.twitter.com/OqIK1K7qN3
— 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙩 𝘿𝙚 𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙞 (@MattDeBlasi) September 26, 2016
He then returned to the left side of the plate. After another ball, Gordon crushed an 85 mph fastball high and deep to right field. The 377-foot home run — Gordon’s first of the season — set off an emotional celebration, both in the Marlins dugout and in the stands.
https://twitter.com/erikmal/status/780549093651165184
Gordon, understandably, struggled to contain his emotions as he rounded the baseballs and returned to the dugout. Sometimes sports can provide us with moments that we’ll never forget. Calling this one of those moments is an understatement.
