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José Fernández revealed that his girlfriend is expecting a baby last week

Justin Carissimo
New York
Sunday 25 September 2016 15:06 BST
(Getty Images)

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Miami Marlins pitcher José Fernández, who died in a tragic boating accident early Sunday morning, recently revealed that his girlfriend is pregnant and he would soon become a father.

The 24-year-old Cuba native's final Instagram post is an image of his girlfriend on the beach with the following caption, “I'm so glad you came into my life. I'm ready for where this journey is gonna take us together. #familyfirst”


Fernández, who’s known for his dominant fastball and charming personality, fled to the United States with his family in 2008 and was drafted by the Marlins in 2011. He overcame Tommy John surgery in 2013 and won the National League's Rookie of the Year award the same year. He carried a winning record of 38-17 and was, without question, one of the league's youngest and brightest stars.

Authorities said that his 32-foot boat was overturned after making severe impact with a jetty. He was killed along with two others in the early morning boating accident.

The Marlins canceled their game against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday and said that the entire organization is “devastated by the tragic loss of José Fernández.”

Many stars in and outside the world of baseball mourned Fernández on Sunday.

"Hands down one of my favorite guys to watch pitch! He brought nothing but intensity and passion," Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price wrote on Twitter.

"Still in disbelief about the Jose Fernandez news. RIP bro and my prayers go to the fam," rapper Lil' Wayne wrote on Twitter.

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