Jose Fernandez and two friends died in the early hours of Sunday, September 25th, when their boat crashed into a jetty near Miami Beach, Florida. The Cuban-born athlete was only 24 years old.

Jose Fernandez and two other men were found dead after their boat was discovered at the entrance of Miami Harbor. The coast guard noticed the boat upside-down on the end of a rocky jetty shortly after 3:15 in the morning. Divers recovered two bodies under the boat, and the third victim was found on the rocks. Evidence shows that the boat hit the rocks at full speed, estimated at 65 mph. Fernandez wasn’t the owner of the boat. Drugs or alcohol did not appear to be factors in the crash.

Fernandez was drafted by the Marlins in 2011 and he went on to become the franchise’s star pitcher, and a two-time All-Star. The Marlins’ game against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday was cancelled, and before their Monday night game against the Mets, a ceremony was held in honor of his tragic death.

Even though baseball was considered “Fernandez’s second language”, it wasn’t his only priority. After moving to the U.S. from Cuba when he was just 15 years old, the only people he had to support him was his family. He cared for his family dearly, and had even saved his mother’s life at sea on their voyage to America. Fernandez was about to become a parent himself. His girlfriend, Maria Arias, who’s pregnant with their baby girl, attended his funeral, and expressed her grief on social media.

Fernandez, whose number 16 has since been retired, was known for both his love of baseball, as well as his love for his family. One truth will always remain, that his memory and legacy will never be forgotten.