Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez, 24, killed in boating accident

MIAMI - The Miami Marlins’s ace right-handed pitcher Jose Fernandez was killed in a boating accident along with two other people, the U.S. Coast Guard said Sunday.

The Coast Guard said the boat crash happened off Miami Beach early Sunday. 

“A boat crew from Coast Guard Station Miami was heading out on a law enforcement patrol at approximately 3:30 a.m. Sunday when they passed a jetty along Government Cut and discovered an overturned 33-foot center console boat on the jetty with three deceased aboard,” the Coast Guard said in a statement.

The Marlins and others confirmed the death of one of the top pitchers in baseball. The identity of the other two killed in the accident have not been revealed yet.

CBS Miami reports the other two in the boat with the 24-year-old Fernandez ranged in age from 24 to 27.

According to the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Lorenzo Veloz, none of the three were wearing a life jacket.

“It does appear that speed was involved due to the impact and the severity of it,” said Veloz. “It does appear to be that they were coming at full speed when they encountered the jetty, and the accident happened.”

When asked about the condition of the boat, Veloz said, “It’s horrible, it’s bad.”

Authorities had seen the boat “several times” in the area and confirmed that it belonged to one of the victims, but not Fernandez.  Several Marlins players have been seen on the vessel before.

“It does pertain to a friend of Jose who is very well connected with several Marlins players and I have stopped that boat before for safety inspections with other Marlins players on board,” Veloz said. “We know that this boat knows the area. We just can’t answer why this happened.”

Photos from the scene of the accident show an overturned boat on top of a jetty.

In the statement, the Marlins say they are “devastated by the tragic loss of José Fernández. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.”

The Marlins’ game Sunday at home against the Atlanta Braves has been cancelled.

Fernandez, 24, was born in Cuba, and he defected to the U.S. in 2008. In 2013, he was voted the National League rookie of the year, and placed third in Cy Young Award voting.

Just five days ago, Fernandez took to Instagram to announce that his girlfriend was expecting the couples first child.  

In his MLB career he was 38-17 with an ERA of 2.58 and 589 strikeouts. Many considered him one of the sport’s top pitchers.

Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. issued the following statement: “All of Baseball is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Miami Marlins pitcher José Fernández.  He was one of our game’s great young stars who made a dramatic impact on and off the field since his debut in 2013.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, the Miami Marlins organization and all of the people he touched in his life.”

A native of Santa Clara, Cuba, Fernandez became a United States citizen last year.  

“Sadly, the brightest lights are often the ones that extinguish the fastest,” Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said. “Jose left us far too soon, but his memory will endure in all of us. At this difficult time, our prayers are with his mother, grandmother, family and friends.”

After two unsuccessful attempts, Fernandez defected to the U.S. as a 16-year-old in 2008 and went to high school in Tampa.

Many players and MLB officials and fans took to social media to express sadness at Fernandez’s passing. 

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