10-year Marliniversary: Fernández dies in boating crash

[Mike Ferguson]

With the 2026 season approaching its end, there have been many great pitchers to toe the rubber for the Miami Marlins over the years. One, however, could argue that no one brought more flare to the mound than José Fernández.

The 2013 National League Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star, the world said goodbye to Fernández on this day 10 years ago. Fernández and two others died in a boating crash in the early morning hours of Sept. 25, 2016.

Fernández was piloting his boat that struck a jetty at Miami Beach before dawn. Investigations later determined that Fernández was going 65 miles per hour while under the influence of drugs. The impact killed the 24-year-old Fernández and both passengers onboard – 27-year-old Emilio Macias and 25-year-old Eduardo Rivero.

The tragedy struck the South Florida community as well as the Miami Marlins and has since complicated the legacy of a blossoming young talent. In addition to his teammates and family, Fernández left behind a daughter who had yet to be born. Fernández and his pregnant girlfriend had announced that they were expecting their first child just days prior to the fatal crash.

While Fernández’s story is certainly a tragic tale and by all accounts, could have been avoided, his efforts as a pitcher were a sight to behold. At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds with a devastating breaking ball, Fernández went 38-17 over four seasons in the big leagues while posting a career 2.58 ERA.

Fernández continues to hold Miami single-season records for fewest hits allowed per nine innings and strikeouts. The club’s career leader in win percentage, Fernández also ranks in the top 10 in club history in wins, strikeouts and complete games.

A Cuban exile, Fernández left fans with great memories over a short period of time. He died much too young. The world said goodbye to Fernández on this day a decade ago.

View full article

[1993 fan from start]

Will always have mix feeling about this.  Don't think he should be on any Marlins mounten rusmor.  For the reason what was said to be in his system .  

Do think he would been the First Marlin to spend hole Career with Marlins.

Great keeping Memroy alive with what he done for Marlins.   

[Rob V]

"Do think he would have been the first Marlin to spend his whole career with the Marlins?"

They had tried to sign Jose to the same team friendly contract they gave to Sandy later, somewhere in the 50M+ range and 5 years. He was advised by Scott Boras (who was looking for 100M+) to turn it down a couple of years before free agency and he did. This advice by Boras hurt his family tremendously as he only had about 5M in assets when he died which included a 1M insurance policy taken out by Boras in case of tragedy, something he does for his clients when telling them to wait for their free agency year to sign. I do believe the Fish would have extended themselves financially and signed Jose eventually mainly because he wanted to stay in Miami. They loved him and he loved it in SoFL and would have taken less money to stay. Loria sold the team shortly after his death mainly because the Fish knew they had a chance if they reached the playoffs with an Ace like Jose to carry them (remember Beckett) but would suffer a catastrophic drop down to mediocrity and not sniff the playoffs for many years if they lost him forever. Loria couldn't stomach another rebuild or going on without his favorite player Jose and sold the team to Sherman shortly thereafter for a huge profit and hasn't been seen since. RIP Jose, we all made mistakes in our youth but weren't a millionaire like you. Money and so-called friends who steer you to the dark side always make growing up harder, especially with your young human brain. To me you are a Marlins Legend and would have taken us back to the WS one day and probably won the MVP too! Great memories of seeing you pitch in person and also of you laughing with all the other stars in the game.

RIP Brother, you are a Miami Marlin 4 Ever! 🙏😢 ⚾️ 

[One Regend]

I will say this. If Clayton Kershaw didn't exist in this hypothetical world, I believe Jose would've won a Cy Young in 2013. I feel pretty strongly that most of the Clayton Kershaw voters would've gone to Jose. The NL's pitching was stacked in this era, sadly.

From 2013 to 2023. It would take 10 more years until Sandy won the franchise's first Cy Young award.

Jose accomplished a lot for his team before his tragic death, and sadly, all that will be remembered was not what he had done before the fateful day, but how he died on that fateful day.

[Rob V]

The Great Jose Fernandez was 29-2 with a 1.49 Era lifetime at Loan Depot Park!

[1993 fan from start]

On 9/25/2026 at 1:28 PM, Rob V said:

"Do think he would have been the first Marlin to spend his whole career with the Marlins?"

They had tried to sign Jose to the same team friendly contract they gave to Sandy later, somewhere in the 50M+ range and 5 years. He was advised by Scott Boras (who was looking for 100M+) to turn it down a couple of years before free agency and he did. This advice by Boras hurt his family tremendously as he only had about 5M in assets when he died which included a 1M insurance policy taken out by Boras in case of tragedy, something he does for his clients when telling them to wait for their free agency year to sign. I do believe the Fish would have extended themselves financially and signed Jose eventually mainly because he wanted to stay in Miami. They loved him and he loved it in SoFL and would have taken less money to stay. Loria sold the team shortly after his death mainly because the Fish knew they had a chance if they reached the playoffs with an Ace like Jose to carry them (remember Beckett) but would suffer a catastrophic drop down to mediocrity and not sniff the playoffs for many years if they lost him forever. Loria couldn't stomach another rebuild or going on without his favorite player Jose and sold the team to Sherman shortly thereafter for a huge profit and hasn't been seen since. RIP Jose, we all made mistakes in our youth but weren't a millionaire like you. Money and so-called friends who steer you to the dark side always make growing up harder, especially with your young human brain. To me you are a Marlins Legend and would have taken us back to the WS one day and probably won the MVP too! Great memories of seeing you pitch in person and also of you laughing with all the other stars in the game.

RIP Brother, you are a Miami Marlin 4 Ever! 🙏😢 ⚾️ 

YES I do see  Joe being life time Marlin . cause Fernadez I think still wanted to be a Marlin. With his record  in Marlins stadium and love for Miami.  They would had to found a middle ground . With more years on contract.  Loria at the time would been only one over spend on him.    Marlins GM at the time no.  

Great images ..  still like the Orange uniforms