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Multiple sources are reporting the death of Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez from a boating accident. Miami-Dade Rescue received a call at 3 a.m. about a boating accident where they found a boat that had overturned and was up against the rocks. Three people have been reported dead from the accident, with sources confirming that Fernandez is one of the deceased.
Horrific news to report this morning, multiple people inform me that Marlins' pitcher Jose Fernandez was killed in a boating accident.
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) September 25, 2016
Sadly, I can confirm that Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez was killed in a boating accident.
— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) September 25, 2016
Sickening news: Source confirms that #Marlins' Jose Fernandez was killed in boating accident. Statement coming from club shortly.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 25, 2016
marlins issue a statement: they are devastated by Jose Fernandez news. today's game with the braves is canceled.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) September 25, 2016
The former 2013 Rookie of the Year was just 24 years old and enjoying the best season of his Major League career. He was 16-8 with a 2.86 ERA and led the league in FIP at 2.29. Fernandez was born in Cuba, and his family tried to defect three times, with his father serving prison sentences for each attempt. The family was finally successful in 2007, although Jose had to jump in the water to rescue his mother’s life after she fell overboard from the boat that was carrying the family.
Baseball has unfortunately experienced tragic young deaths before, most recently when Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras was killed in a car accident in 2014. The boating accident also brings back memories of a boating accident in 1993 during spring training that killed Indians pitchers Tim Crews and Steve Olin.