6-year-old's Fernandez story leaves Marlins clubhouse in tears

As the baseball world continues to mourn the sudden loss of Jose Fernandez, new stories have emerged about how widespread the young pitcher's influence really was.

Miami Marlins catching coach Brian Schneider circulated this image of a story his 6-year-old son wrote in his kindergarten class on Monday. Holden Schneider "adored the late Marlins ace and followed him around like a puppy," according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.

My son is in kindergarten and wrote this in his class today...He loved Jose!! One hot day, I went to the ballgame with my Daddy. First I went in the clubhouse with Fernandez and we hit some balls. Next I went on the field with Fernandez and we threw balls. I threw the ball up(Jose taught him to throw the balls up to the fans in LF). Then I watched the game and Jose was pitching. Last, I had to leave and I gave Jose a hug. I felt happy because he was my buddy! #RIP16

A photo posted by Brian schneider (@brianschneider23) on Sep 26, 2016 at 8:59am PDT

"My kids just gravitate to Jose,'' Schneider said. "After batting practice on Saturday, I didn't see Holden for a half-hour or 45 minutes. He was out there on the field with Jose. Here's this little boy who doesn't know any different, and everybody knew how much he looked up to Jose.

"Guys told me they were doing good, and then they read that, and they started to tear up. And when I read it, I teared up too.''