With teams across major-league baseball paying respects to Miami Marlins starter Jose Fernandez following news of his death Sunday morning, Yoenis Cespedes took it a step further, honoring the 24-year-old by taping his No. 16 jersey in the dugout ahead of the Mets' game against the Phillies.
.@Mets honor José Fernández. pic.twitter.com/wBWsVa5ji9
— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2016
Both Fernandez and Cespedes were born and raised in Cuba, with Cespedes defecting to the United States as an International free agent in 2011. That same year, Fernandez was drafted 14th overall by the Florida Marlins after several failed attempts to defect.
Two other Cuban players, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig and Chicago Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman, tweeted out pictures of them embracing the Marlins starter. Puig also taped a Dodgers No. 16 Fernandez jersey in their dugout before Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies.
You loved striking me out, and teasing me about it. I'm going to miss you bro💔🙏🏽 #puiglovesyou pic.twitter.com/o3tqohRv5U
— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) September 25, 2016
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 25, 2016
Descansa en paz buen amigo... pic.twitter.com/8jqgF22grO
— Aroldis Chapman (@AChapman_105) September 25, 2016
