advertisement

Chicago Cubs hit hard by news of Fernandez's death

For several members of the Chicago Cubs, the death of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez affected them in a deeply personal way.

Outfielder Chris Coghlan fought back tears as he talked about his former teammate from 2013 with the Marlins.

Catcher Miguel Montero recalled joking with Fernandez that he was going to send him a bill for bats Fernandez broke with a nasty pitches.

Anthony Rizzo, a Florida native, talked of his own mother being upset over the death of Fernandez.

But reliever Aroldis Chapman and outfielder Jorge Soler shared a special bond with Fernandez: All were born in Cuba before making it in their own ways to the United States.

Fernandez, 24, the ace of the Marlins' pitching staff, died early Sunday along with two friends, the result of a boating accident.

The Cubs observed a moment of silence in honor of Fernandez before Sunday night's game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. They also displayed Fernandez's No. 16 on the center-field scoreboard.

"It's a sad day," Soler said through a translator. "It's more so because we were both in Cuba. It's sad. It's a great loss of such a great pitcher with such awesome potential. I think all of us in baseball are feeling a heavy heart because of this tragedy.

"I think we're like a family. Even though we play against each other, we always share each other's thoughts, expressions, feelings. I think we're a very close-knit family in that aspect."

The news also hit Chapman hard.

"It's very difficult, I'm sure, for all players, but especially for me because he was a good friend of mine," he said, also through a translator. "It was very difficult. It was shocking this morning to wake up to hear the news. It's something that's affected me deeply. It's something that has affected me throughout the day."

Chapman also talked about the special bond among Cuban-born players in the major leagues.

"I think it's a huge help in terms of people who do understand and might have heard it through us talking about it, through us characterizing things, our stories, interviewing us, in terms of the struggle we've had to deal coming from that island," he said. "It's something that's been very difficult to manage. It's something that's very difficult to go through.

"But I feel it's something that through our stories, through our conversations, you can get a little bit of an idea what it was like."

Coghlan recalled Fernandez's "joy for life" and that there was "such a sweet innocence about him."

Fernandez beat the Cubs 6-1 on June 26 in Miami and lost to them on Aug. 2 at Wrigley Field.

"I remember there was one time when I faced him, I think it was 2 at-bats, and he broke my bat twice," Montero said. "I told him I was going to send him a bill for the bats. He was a fun guy to watch pitch. As player, I want to face every single pitcher like him because he challenges you. He made you bring your 'A' game because he was that good.

"It's a big loss. It's a big loss for baseball, and more than baseball, for his family. I can't stop thinking about it. Today is my son's birthday, and I haven't had time to be thinking about my son's birthday because … I can't imagine how (Fernandez's) family feels today."

Cubs close home slate with win

Scouting report

Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park

TV: Comcast SportsNet Monday-Wednesday; WGN Thursday

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Kyle Hendricks (15-8) vs. Chad Kuhl (5-3) Monday; John Lackey (10-8) vs. Ryan Vogelsong (3-6) Tuesday; Jake Arrieta (18-7) vs. Jameson Taillon (4-4) Wednesday; Rob Zastryzny (1-0) vs. Ivan Nova (12-8) Thursday. All games 6:05 p.m.

At a glance: The Cubs have dominated the Pirates this year, going 12-3, 4-2 in Pittsburgh. The Pirates have a losing record at home (37-40) as they try to cling to some hope for a wild-card spot. Andrew McCutchen entered Sunday with 24 homers and 75 RBI, and Gregory Polanco had 22 HRs and 85 RBI. Starling Marte entered the day with a line of .311/.362/.457. The Pirates went into Sunday ranked ninth in the National League in ERA (4.14), while the Cubs were first (3.11). Thursday will be a "bullpen" game for the Cubs, with Zastryzny starting and several relievers to follow. The Cubs are 42-32 on the road, and they close the regular season with seven away from Wrigley Field before beginning the playoffs.

Next: Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park, Friday-Sunday

- Bruce Miles

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.