Miami Marlins

Jose Fernandez’s death leads to outpouring of grief from peers

By George Richards

grichards@miamiherald.com

September 25, 2016 03:26 PM

Jose Fernandez dropped the first puck and then visited the Fox Florida set with teammate Mike Dunn at the Florida Panthers game against Pittsburgh prior to spring training earlier this year.
Jose Fernandez dropped the first puck and then visited the Fox Florida set with teammate Mike Dunn at the Florida Panthers game against Pittsburgh prior to spring training earlier this year. Fox Sports Florida
Jose Fernandez dropped the first puck and then visited the Fox Florida set with teammate Mike Dunn at the Florida Panthers game against Pittsburgh prior to spring training earlier this year. Fox Sports Florida

Athletes react to the death of Jose Fernandez

DAN MARINO, Hall of Fame quarterback, Miami Dolphins

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Jose Fernandez. Jose represented hope, inspiration and greatness.”

BRYCE HARPER, Washington Nationals

“Absolutely crushed and shocked at the news about Jo-Fez. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and the @Marlins org!”

JASON KIPNIS, Cleveland Indians

“It's awful news. He was one of the better guys in the entire league, not only as a pitcher.”

NICK BJUGSTAD, Florida Panthers

“I couldn’t believe it, he was a super nice guy who seemed passionate about life. ... He accomplished a lot but went out too early.”

YASIEL PUIG, Los Angeles Dodgers

“You loved striking me out, and teasing me about it. I'm going to miss you bro #puiglovesyou”

DAN JENNINGS, former Miami Marlins GM/manager

“My wife always joked that we had a fourth son and that was Jose. I loved the kid, everything about him. ... He was the guy who could light up a room. He could break silent moments, lift people up when they were down. He was a throwback. He loved the game of baseball.”

HANLEY RAMIREZ, Boston Red Sox (formerly of Florida Marlins)

“Can't be true. CANNOT be true!”

TERRY FRANCONA, Cleveland Indians manager

“It just kind of feels like you get punched in the stomach a little bit. I can't imagine how they feel. From afar, I know how we feel. ... I don't know how they finish the season. That's got to be awful.”

DAVID ORTIZ, Boston Red Sox

“I don’t have the words to describe the pain feel for the loss of my friend Jose. Goodbye, my friend.”

DONTRELLE WILLIS, former Florida Marlins pitcher

“My heart is broken.”

KEITH OLBERMANN, broadcaster

“That Jose Fernandez should have escaped from Cuba, saved his drowning mother, flourished here, only to meet this end, breaks the heart.”

DWYANE WADE, Chicago Bulls

“I [just] landed to this awful awful news. I didn't know #JoseFernandez but I was a fan from afar.”

O.J. McDUFFIE, former Miami Dolphins wide receiver

“I'm sick to my stomach. Jose Fernandez will truly missed in baseball. But more importantly by his family and the S. Fla community #ripJose”

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