Jose Fernandez’s death Sunday rocked the Major League Baseball world, and the Boston Red Sox were no exception.
The Miami Marlins ace, who died in a boating accident at the age of 24, was a friend to many around the league, including Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz and first baseman Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez was a member of the Marlins until 2012, but both of them took to Twitter to express their grief.
I dont have the words to describe the pain feel for the loss of my friend Jose. Goodbye, my friend. pic.twitter.com/xvaa5z62RW
— David Ortiz (@davidortiz) September 25, 2016
Can't be true. CANNOT be true!
— Hanley Ramirez ⚾️ (@HanleyRamirez) September 25, 2016
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My heart is with Jose's and the other victims' families, and my cherished Marlins family. My deepest condolences. This is heartbreaking
— Hanley Ramirez ⚾️ (@HanleyRamirez) September 25, 2016
But even those who didn’t know Fernandez as well as Ortiz and Ramirez did were affected, and many other Red Sox players tweeted out their disbelief and condolences to Fernandez’s family.
Woke up to terrible news! Our baseball community has been hit hard from the loss of Jose. May God bless his family 🙏🏾#LongLiveJose
— Mookie Betts (@mookiebetts) September 25, 2016
Please pray for Fernandez's family today..absolutely sickening news. Worst news to wake up to
— Travis Shaw (@travis_shaw21) September 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/JosephKellyJr/status/780032487410008065
Can't believe what I just read. It's a sad day in the baseball world. #rip Jose Fernandez
— Matt Barnes (@mattbarnesRHP) September 25, 2016
Praying for the Fernandez family. Kills my heart hearing this news. God bless the Fernandez family!
— robbie ross (@Ross_108) September 25, 2016
wow very sad new this morning…hands down one of my favorite guys to watch pitch! He brought nothing but intensity and passion #ripjose
— David Price (@DAVIDprice24) September 25, 2016
So sad hearing about Jose Fernandez, thoughts and prayers for him and his family RIP
— Drew Pomeranz (@DrewPomeranz) September 25, 2016
My gosh. Just sick in my stomach hearing about Jose Fernandez. Praying for his family, friends, and teammates…
— Brad Ziegler (@BradZiegler) September 25, 2016
Red Sox manager John Farrell spoke to the media about the impact Fernandez’s death has already had on baseball and his clubhouse.
“It was disbelief, tragic,” Farrell said, per the Boston Herald. “Certainly all of our thoughts and prayers go out to not only the Fernandez family, but certainly to the Marlins organization and all of the Cuban-American community in South Florida. By all accounts, even with our guys in here who know him personally, just know he was a young guy, full of life. We all know the talent that he is, so baseball has lost one heck of a young pitcher, but more importantly our thoughts are with his family at this point.
“(Some Red Sox players) know him personally. I know there was a fun moment at the All-Star Game and the comments Jose made about facing David Ortiz. I know Hanley knows him. It’s heartfelt. It’s hit many clubhouses around baseball, but our guys in particular. Especially when you get a high number of guys that are 24, 25 years old. This is their peer, this is their opponent, this is a guy they can clearly identify with. When someone is taken so quickly, it’s a tragic moment. Our condolences go out to all directly involved.”
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images