Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon was seen reflecting and weeping on the field at Marlins Park Sunday after teammate José Fernández was found dead early Sunday morning in an apparent boating accident.
Gordon, a left-handed hitter, led off for the Marlins against the New York Mets, taking the first pitch lined up in the right-handed side of the batter's box as a tribute to Fernández.
After stepping back across the plate, Gordon created a moment that gave baseball fans around the world goosebumps.
Just amazing, @FlashGJr. #JDF16 pic.twitter.com/Tgg03ZSJlt
— MLB (@MLB) September 26, 2016
He hit his first home run of the season and just the ninth of his career, and it was a no-doubter down the right-field line.
Gordon trotted around the bases with his head down and pointed to the sky after crossing home plate. He was visibly sobbing as he returned to the Marlins dugout, remembering his dear friend as his and Fernández's teammates celebrated and consoled him.
The whole team donned No. 16 "Fernández" uniforms in remembrance of a man who wore his joy for the game of baseball all over himself.
Fernández was an electric talent still in the early stages of his career at the age of 24, and he was known for his infectious smile and personality.
The young Cuban defector had clearly made his mark on the Marlins, who gathered around the pitcher's mound before Monday's game and wrote Fernández's initials in the dirt before embracing one another.
