Bill Kostroun, The Associated PressMiami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez delivers the ball to the New York Mets during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 29, 2016, at Citi Field in New York.
Wilfredo Lee, The Associated PressMiami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez smiles as he leaves the mound after striking out Los Angeles Dodgers' Yasiel Puig on Sept. 9, 2016.- Alan Diaz, The Associated PressMiami Marlins' Jose Fernandez pitches against the Washington Nationals in the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, in Miami.
- Kevin C. Cox, Getty ImagesJose Fernandez #16 of the Miami Marlins pitches in the first inning to the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on September 14, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Marc Serota, Getty ImagesPitcher Jose Fernandez #16 of the Miami Marlins singles during the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Marlin Park on September 9, 2016 in Miami, Florida.
- Jason Miller, Getty ImagesStarting pitcher Jose Fernandez of the Miami Marlins pitches during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians during an interleague game at Progressive Field on Sept. 3, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
- Wilfredo Lee, The Associated PressThe Marlins announced Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, that ace right-hander Fernandez has died.
- J Pat Carter, The Associated PressIn this Friday, April 24, 2015, file photo, Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez smiles after becoming a U.S. citizen during a naturalization ceremony in Miami. The Marlins announced Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, that ace right-hander Fernandez has died. The U.S. Coast Guard says Fernandez was one of three people killed in a boat crash off Miami Beach early Sunday.
- Gaston De Cardenas, The Associated PressInvestigators inspect an overturned boat as it rests on a jetty after a crash, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, off Miami Beach, Fla. Authorities said that Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez was one of three people killed in the boat crash early Sunday morning. He was 24.
- Carl Juste, Miami Herald via The Associated PressMiami Marlins manager Don Mattingly struggles with his emotions as he speaks during the team's press conference about the death of Jose Fernandez, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, after the announcement of the death of their star pitcher, Jose Fernandez, in an early morning boat accident Sunday, in Miami Beach.
- Carl Juste, Miami Herald via The Associated PressMarlins president of baseball operations, Michael Hill, seated left, fights back tears and is comforted by Marlins President, Dave Samson, right, while he took questions from members of the media during a press conference after the announcement of the death of their star pitcher, Jose Fernandez, in an early morning boat accident Sunday, in Miami Beach.
- Chris Carlson, The Associated PressMembers of the Colorado Rockies observe a moment of silence in memory of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez who died in a boating accident early Sunday, before a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016.
- Carl Juste, Miami Herald via The Associated PressMiami Marlins pitcher Kyle Barraclough bows his head in front of a memorial for Jose Fernandez at the pitcher's mound at Marlins Park in Miami, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016. Fernandez and two other people died early Sunday when their 32-foot vessel slammed into a jetty off Miami Beach, authorities said.
- Joseph Garnett Jr. , Getty ImagesMembers of the Tampa Bay Rays pause for a moment of silence for Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez prior to their game against the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field on September 25, 2016 in St. Petersburg, Florida.
- Joe Skipper, Getty ImagesItems are placed at a memorial at Marlins Park for Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez September 25, 2016 in Miami, Florida. Fernandez died in a boating accident.
- Bob Levey, Getty ImagesHouston Astros fans take a moment of silence in memory of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez who died in a motor boat accident early Sunday morning before the Houston Astros played the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Minute Maid Park on Sept. 25, 2016 in Houston, Texas.
- Carl Juste, Miami Herald via The Associated PressMiami Marlins manager Don Mattingly struggles with his emotions as he speaks during the team's press conference about the death of Jose Fernandez, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, after the announcement of the death of their star pitcher, Jose Fernandez, in an early morning boat accident Sunday, in Miami Beach.
- Bruce Kluckhohn, The Associated PressA Minnesota Twins jersey with the name of Jose Fernandez hangs in the dugout in memory of the Florida Marlins pitcher who died before a baseball game between the Twins and the Seattle Mariners, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Minneapolis.
- Marcio Jose Sanchez, The Associated PressMembers of the Oakland Athletics observe a moment of silence in memory of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, who died in a boating accident early Sunday, before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Oakland, Calif.
- Jeff Roberson, The Associated PressThis is a 2014 photo of pitcher Jose Fernandez of the Miami Marlins baseball team. This image reflects the Marlins active roster as of Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014 when this image was taken.
- Wilfredo Lee, The Associated PressMiami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez gestures to the stands after the Marlins defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, in Miami. Fernandez tied a career high with 14 strikeouts.
Bill Kostroun, The Associated Press
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Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez delivers the ball to the New York Mets during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 29, 2016, at Citi Field in New York.
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By Glen Barber | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
MIAMI — Jose Fernandez escaped from Cuba by boat on his fourth try as a teenager, and when his mother fell into the Yucatan Channel during the journey, he jumped in and pulled her out.
Fernandez’s heroic backstory made his death early Sunday that much more heart-wrenching. The charismatic Miami Marlins ace was killed in a boating accident at age 24.
Fernandez and two other people died when their 32-foot vessel slammed into a jetty off Miami Beach, authorities said.
