R.I.P. #16

Marlins Pay Emotional Tribute to José Fernández

An emotional Dee Gordon smashed first-inning homer.

In their first game since the death of José Fernández, the Miami Marlins paid emotional tribute to their ace pitcher with a variety of heartbreaking gestures. Before the game, Marlins players stood around the mound, which had his number, 16, painted on the back side, before a tribute clip rolled on the stadium’s big screen. Several players could be seen crying during the pre-game broadcast, and more tears were shed as a somber version of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” was played on a trumpet. The tributes continued during the actual gameplay, as Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon—normally a left-hander—led off the bottom of the first inning by standing in the right side of the batter’s box for the first pitch, while wearing Fernández’s batting helmet. He then swapped it out for his own, moving to the correct side of the plate, and smashing a home run on the second pitch against the New York Mets.