Marlins Lead-Off Hitter Smacks Home Run In First Game Back After Jose Fernandez’s Passing (Video)

September 27, 2016 Free Beer & Hot Wings, Videos Leave a reply

The Miami Marlins played an emotional game last night.  It was their first since Jose Fernandez’s tragic, fatal boating accident on Saturday night.

Dee Gordon is Miami’s lead-off hitter, and he normally bats left-handed.  But he initially walked up to the plate right-handed, and took a pitch.  He was paying tribute to Jose, and was even wearing Jose’s batting helmet.  He then switched back to the left side of the plate and hit a home run.  He isn’t a home run hitter.  In fact, it was his first home run of the season.  And it was the saddest one you’ll ever see.

Dee didn’t celebrate, and after touching home plate, he started crying.  Several teammates and coaches hugged him as he slowly made his way through the dugout and back to the locker room.  He later returned, got three more hits, and the Marlins went on the win 7-to-3.

There was also a tribute at the beginning of the game that included a moment of silence, a somber rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” a group meeting at the pitcher’s mound and a team speech by Giancarlo Stanton.

Everyone on the team was wearing a jersey with Jose’s name and number 16 on the back.  It’ll be the last time anyone in Miami wears that number, because they’re retiring it.  It’s the first time the Marlins have ever retired a number.