Manfred: Fernandez's toxicology report doesn't change his reputation

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred does not believe the recent toxicology report from the autopsy of former Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez should alter people's perception of him.

The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's Office announced Saturday that Fernandez was intoxicated by nearly two times the legal limit and had traces of cocaine in his system when he and two friends died in a boating accident late last month.

"His death was a tragedy," Manfred said Saturday prior to Game 4 of the World Series, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports. "These facts were unfortunate. But it doesn't alter the fact he was a great, great player, a good young man and he will be sorely missed in Miami."

It is not yet known if Fernandez was piloting the boat when it impacted with a rock jetty off the coast of Miami. Family attorney Ralph Fernandez told David Ovalle of the Miami Herald that a witness was on the phone with Fernandez moments before the crash, saying Fernandez was giving directions of where to drive the boat before communications stopped.

Ralph Fernandez also said that the use of cocaine was out of character for Jose Fernandez.

The death of Fernandez shook the city of Miami and the baseball world as the 24-year-old Cuban had strong ties in the community and was among the most well-liked players in the league. Thousands of fans lined the streets during his funeral procession, chanting his name as his hearse drove past.