Early Sunday morning, Miami Marlins pitcher José Fernández, 24, died when his 32-foot fishing boat struck a jetty along Government Cut and Fisher Island in Miami Beach. We now learn that the two other victims who died onboard the tragic boat ride were his friends Emilio Jesus Macias, 27, and Eduardo Rivero, 25. Officials have not yet determined who was behind the wheel.
At approximately 3:30 a.m. a Coast Guard boat crew found the vessel overturned.
The relatives of the two other victims have started GoFundMe pages for both Macias and Rivero to help their families with funeral arrangements, which they could not afford without donations.
Today, in their first game since the death of Fernández, all of the Miami Marlins players will take the field wearing his No. 16.
According to The Miami Herald's Clark Spencer, the Marlins have coordinated a tribute to Fernandez for their Monday game against the New York Mets. We're sure there won't be a dry eye in that stadium once those players come out.
The tragic loss to the baseball world came only days after the late athlete announced on social media that was expecting his first child.
"I'm so glad you came into my life. I'm ready for where this journey is gonna take us together. #familyfirst," Fernández wrote alongside a photo of his pregnant girlfriend.
The city of Miami along with baseball fans are mourning the death of Fernández who at such a young age had already inspired so many.
The star pitcher's story is an inspiring one because, after numerous attempts to leave Cuba which resulted in jail time, he finally defected to the United States in 2008 when he was 15. In that final and successful attempt, 15-year-old Fernández jumped into the ocean to save his mother, who had gone overboard after their boat had hit large waves.
He was then drafted in 2011 by the Miami Marlins and went on to be named National League Rookie of the Year 2013 and a two-time All-Star.