MIAMI (WSVN) - One day after news broke of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez’s tragic death, fans from across South Florida took time out of their Monday to pay their respects at Marlins Park.
The outpouring of love, support and grief from fans who drove to Marlins Park, Monday, is a true testament to just how loved Fernandez was.
“You sense it in the air,” said Diana Romero, who knew coming to the ballpark would soothe her pain as a fan. “Even with the rain coming upon us, it feels like such a sad day.”
Romero came right away to the stadium after dropping off her daughter at school dressed in a Marlins T-Shirt. “As a mom and seeing those pictures with his family and fans, it just brought me to tears,” said Romero. “It brought me to tears.”
Twenty-four-year-old Fernandez and two friends, 27-year-old Emilio Macias and 25-year-old Eduardo Rivero, were killed in a boating accident in Miami Beach, early Sunday.
The news shook not only the Major League Baseball community but the South Florida community, as well.
Related: Cuban-Americans mourn Jose Fernandez, celebrate his journey to freedom
“He was the soul of this community and the team,” Rosa Vasquez said.
“He was our representative,” said one man.
Charlie Sanchez said Fernandez frequented a restaurant where he worked in Coral Gables and gave him tickets to Monday night’s game.
“When I heard the news, I was very devastated. I was out of control, you know,” Sanchez said. “It was like a plane hitting my heart.”
Shahem Belayet took his son Isaiah to Marlins Park, Monday night, to see what was happening outside the park, where candles burned for the pitcher. “Real emotional. Like, the whole time we were here, you didn’t really see anybody cheering or even like excited,” he said.
Others were walking reminders of Fernandez, wearing jerseys — even Mets jerseys — with his name on the back.
Marlins Park was filled with reminders of the young pitcher, who many say, was the heart and soul of the team. More than a few fans told 7News it was more than his talent on the field – it was his passion and energy off the field that drew them in.
“I can just imagine their new normal life, their new journey without him,” said one mourner. “His daughter without a father. It’s just so heart-wrenching and so painful to understand right now.”
By 4 p.m., dozens of brightly colored bouquets of flowers, balloons, signs and pictures of the fallen father-to-be filled the entrance of Marlins Park.
Throughout the afternoon, fans arrived to the ballpark dressed in Fernandez jerseys and Marlins gear to drop off the gifts. Many of these fans were in tears, as they joined together with other fans to reflect and discuss the tragedy.
“We’re Marlins fans, and this is the number one worst day,” said a fan.
Team members also commissioned a giant sign of Fernandez’s name with his number “16” to be placed along a wall.
Many fans from South Florida feel connected to Fernandez due to his triumphant backstory, a tale that resonates to the thousands of immigrants and families of immigrants living here. This connection makes his sudden death that much more heart-wrenching.
According to the Associated Press, Fernandez was a teenager when he and his family risked their lives several times trying to flee from Cuba to the United States. On their fourth attempt, his mother fell into the Yucatan Channel, but Fernandez quickly jumped in and pulled her out, saving her life.
“Not because he died, but he was my favorite,” said another fan. “As a child, like they said on the news, he came by sea to get here, and the sea took him away.”
These fans and so many others felt as though the only way to truly bid farewell to their beloved pitcher was to visit his “second home” at Marlins Park.
“He came through the waters, he went through the waters,” said another fan in disbelief.
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