5 beautiful tributes to José Fernández from Monday night's game
Marlins Park was a somber place Monday night, as the Marlins organization mourned the loss of José Fernández, the 24-year-old pitcher who died early Sunday in a boating accident.
But in the midst of all that grief came a handful of powerful moments.
Of course, the one that stole the show and will go down as one of the most incredible moments in baseball history belonged to Dee Gordon, who hit a home run in his first at-bat of the game.
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Gordon's homer was surreal and unpredictable, but there were other touching tributes to Fernández on Monday.
Here are five of them.
1. The Marlins' No. 16 jerseys
The entire Marlins squad donned the same name and number, something Major League Baseball typically only permits while honoring Jackie Robinson.
In addition to sporting No. 16 Fernández jerseys, many Marlins players had other tributes written on their caps. Dee Gordon had No. 16 etched into his hair.
2. Giancarlo Stanton's pre-game speech
Fernández and slugger Giancarlo Stanton were the two rising stars of the Marlins franchise.
Now, Stanton will assume that role alone.
The Marlins gathered around the mound prior to the game, paying their own tributes to Fernández and joining in a collective huddle, where Stanton said a few words.
“We’ll all come together and help each other out," he said. "We’re going to do this somehow. Just put your hand on somebody if somebody is struggling, pick them up. And we’re going to find a way to do this. I love all you guys.”
3. 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame'
The Marlins organization really nailed the entire night, from limiting pre-game and in-game festivities to giving their mascot the night off, all out of respect for Fernández.
And during the pre-game ceremony, the Marlins turned a typically jovial song into a touching tribute. A lone trumpeter played a somber rendition of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" as photos of Fernández cycled on the video board.
4. Every class act from the visiting New York Mets
Monday night belonged to the Marlins.
But even as guests, the New York Mets' etiquette and class did not go unnoticed. Mets players joined in many of the tributes, hanging a Fernández jersey in their own dugout, sporting "JF" on many of their hats and embracing with the Marlins before the game.
Even after Miami took the lead with Gordon's emotional home run, the Mets reminded us all that this night transcended the sport.
5. The perfect end to the night
As fans filed out of Marlins park, players and coaches returned to the pitchers' mound, where they placed their black hats. The Marlins lingered to pay their own individual respects to Fernández.
It appeared to be the final tribute of the night, until the Marlins were spotted toasting to the sky after the stadium had cleared out.
Miami won the game 7-3. But that game was about more than the score.
