Prior to Dee Gordon hitting one of the most amazing home runs in baseball history, the Miami Marlins honored José Fernández on Monday in their first game since the star pitcher was killed in a boating accident on Sunday morning.
In an emotional pregame ceremony featuring both Spanish and English, the team honored their fallen pitcher with a simple, familiar song. Eight Marlins position players took the field and surrounded the pitcher’s mound — which included Fernández’s number — while the remaining members of the Marlins’ roster and everyone in the Mets’ dugout stood along the basepaths. Everyone looked on as a single horn played “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” to honor Fernández.
Marlins players openly wept on the field, every member of the team wearing Fernández’s No. 16 jersey and his name across the back. Additionally, the Marlins announced on Monday that no one will ever wear Fernández’s number for the team again.
BREAKING: Miami Marlins to retire Jose Fernandez's No. 16. https://t.co/Uxqs4rfUPp
— PB Post Sports (@pbpsports) September 26, 2016
After an extended moment of silence and a performance of the national anthem, Marlins and Mets players exchanged handshakes and hugs on the field. After the Mets returned to their dugout, every Marlins players stayed on the field and rallied around the mound.
https://twitter.com/NamelessRanger/status/780545956085374976
Both Miami’s and New York’s broadcast crews were emotional during the ceremony. Then, as many wiped away tears, the game began, and Gordon did the unbelievable.
