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Jose Fernandez dies in boating accident: Fans and players react on Twitter

By Matt Whitener

Sep 9, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (16) celebrates their 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (16) celebrates their 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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The social media world is stunned as news of the death of the Miami Marlins pitcher was released.

The tragic news of the death of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez hit social media swift and hard. Reports indicate that his death occurred off of Miami Beach in the early hours of Sunday morning, when a boat he was on flipped. In mourning, the Marlins subsequently cancelled Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves.

The prodigious Fernandez had been one of the best pitchers in baseball since making his debut in 2011, when he won National League Rookie of the Year honors. Fernandez notably made his way to the United States as a Cuban refugee, and quickly established himself as one of the premier talents baseball had seen in many years.

Fernandez boasted a 2.58 ERA over 76 career starts, and was scheduled to start on Monday against the New York Mets. He was in the midst of a year where he had won a career-high 16 games, and was leading the National League in strikeouts-per-nine innings with 12.4.

Regardless of his baseball talents, the true tragedy that is being reflected on is the loss of such a young man. It is the second time such an event has happened in the past two years, following the driving death of former St. Louis Cardinal outfield Oscar Tavares in October of 2014.

The news was first reported by Andy Slater of 940-AM WINZ, and later confirmed by various media outlets.

And obviously, the reaction was a mixture of sorrow, regret, stun and more from around the baseball world:

Obviously the death of such a talent has created a sense of true shock, but is also being worsened by the fact that according to a recent Instagram post, he was also expecting his first child soon as well:

Fernandez was an incredible talent, so appreciations of what he had accomplished in his young career followed as well:

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Reactions will continue as further details of this heartbreaking story continues to develop, but it is certainly a very sad day in the world of Major League Baseball.

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