16 Best Photos From Marlins’ Emotional Jose Fernandez Ceremony On ‘Jose Day’

General

The baseball world suffered a devastating loss Sunday when 24-year-old budding star Jose Fernandez was killed in a boating accident.

His Miami Marlins canceled their Sunday game against the Atlanta Braves in the wake of the incident, but decided to play Monday and begin their series with the visiting New York Mets.

Before the game began, both teams honored Fernandez’s memory with a touching tribute. Here’s a recap of the ceremony, as well as the best 16 photos from the ceremony honoring No. 16.

The ceremony began with a video tribute on the outfield video board set to “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” — except it was a sadder, slower version performed by what sounded like a ceremonial bugle, which is customary at military funerals for “Taps.”

Fernandez was supposed to pitch Monday night, so the other eight Marlins starters surrounded the mound during the ceremony, leaving a gap in the middle for the mound, which featured his No. 16 painted on the back, as well as his hat, glove and a ball.

Both the Marlins and Mets stood at attention down their respective baselines during the ceremony, and the entire Marlins team wore No. 16 Fernandez jerseys. After the national anthem, both teams joined in a handshake line filled with hugs and greetings before heading back to the dugout.

The Marlins then surrounded the mound and all took a knee, many appearing to say a prayer and others writing messages in the dirt. The team then huddled next to the mound and were given a speech by All-Star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. Through tears, he could be heard on microphone saying things like “Let’s do this together” and “Put your hands on a brother who needs help tonight. Let’s help each other out and get through this.”

Marlins lefty Adam Conley was activated from the disabled list to start Monday’s game. He and Fernandez were two of the organization’s best prospects, and shot up through the minors together. Conley pitched three shutout innings in his return from the DL, while the Marlins jumped out to a 7-0 lead.

All-Star second baseman Dee Gordon, a lefty as well, led off the game for Miami in the bottom of the first inning by digging in from the right side of the plate, wearing Fernandez’s helmet and taking a strike. He then switched over to bat from his natural left side, and two pitches later crushed his first home run of the season into the right field bleachers off Mets starter Bartolo Colon. It was quite a moment.

Here’s a look at the 16 best photos from the ceremony.