Dodgers Players React to Death of Jose Fernandez

News of the death of Jose Fernandez struck the Los Angeles Dodgers early in the morning on Sunday and players reacted before their final home game of the season. See what they had to say.

By Michael Duarte • •

So fast, so far. You were gone too soon.

News of the death of Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez spread like a wildfire on Sunday as it sent shockwaves up the spines of the small circle that is Major League baseball.

Players and coaches were emotional on Sunday morning when they work up to the news that Fernandez and two passengers had been killed in a boating accident in the early morning hours. 

The news hit the Dodgers here on the west coast as they awoke to play their final home game of the season against the Colorado Rockies.

For obvious reasons, Dodger players and former teammates of Fernandez were stunned and at a loss for words in the clubhouse before the game. 

None were more emotional than Yasiel Puig, who like Fernandez, was also Cuban-born, and lived in Miami. Puig said that he and Fernandez were close friends who hung out together in the offseason. Puig dedicated Sunday's game to Fernandez and as tears rolled down his face as he said:

"My friend, my brother. You know how much I loved you. I have no words."

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Fernandez almost became a Dodger in the offseason as trade rumors flew like wild swans, last winter. The front office was actively trying to acquire Fernandez, even willing to part with top pitching prospect, Julio Urias, at one point.

However, after the rival Diamondbacks traded away No. 1 overall draft pick Dansby Swanson and two others for right-hander Shelby Miller, the price tag for Fernandez went up considerably.

According to sources, the Marlins asked for three players in exchange for a deal with Fernandez: Urias, Corey Seager and Joc Pederson. Naturally, the Dodgers said, "No Thanks."

A No. 16 Los Angeles Dodgers jersey with the name "Fernandez" written across the back hung in the Dodgers clubhouse throughout the game, and alone before the game as the Dodgers stood on the third baseline along with the 50,000 fans in attendance for a moment of silence in Hernandez's memory.

Flags at Dodger Stadium flew at half-mast and the Dodgers shared this picture of Fernandez watching fireworks on a Friday night from the field after a game between the Marlins and Dodgers earlier this season.

Here are the tweets and reactions from the Dodgers and players of the passing of their friend, Jose Fernandez:

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