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As the sports world struggled to come to grips with the news of Jose Fernandezs death on Sunday, the outpouring of emotion from fans and peers was a tribute to the pitchers charismatic personality as much as his talent on the mound. Fernandez packed a lifetime of living into 24 years, 1 month and 25 days.Fernandezs star status with the Miami Marlins was reflected in a range of dominant statistical achievements and awards. Over parts of four seasons, he posted a 38-17 record with a 2.58 ERA, averaged 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings, won a National League Rookie of the Year award and made two All-Star teams. He overcame Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2014 to resume laying the groundwork for what many expected to be a Hall of Fame career.Beyond the numbers and the 95 mph radar gun readings, Fernandez exuded a joy for baseball and a passion for living that stemmed from a difficult upbringing. As a Cuban émigré who overcame numerous obstacles to reach a new world, he embraced each competitive challenge that awaited him.Fernandez was born on July 31, 1992, in Santa Clara, the capital city of the Cuban province of Villa Clara. He was a childhood neighbor and friend of future St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Diaz, and he has credited Diazs father and uncle with introducing him to baseball.Fernandezs stepfather, Ramon Jimenez, was a doctor in Cuba who defected to Tampa in 2005. Jose, his mother, Maritza, and sister, Yadenis, made three unsuccessful forays via speedboat to follow Ramon to the United States. The third failed attempt landed Jose in jail, and he was expelled from the state-run boarding school for elite athletes that hed been attending.On the fourth try, Jose dove into the Gulf of Mexico to save his mother from drowning before the family found safe haven in Mexico. After a pit stop in Hidalgo, Texas, mother, son and daughter finally settled in Florida.In a 2009 interview with the Tampa Bay Times, Fernandez described the familys harrowing journey to the U.S. At age 15, he confronted 8-foot-high waves to reach his mother and swam 30 yards back to the boat to save her life.I thought I was going to die many times, Fernandez told the newspaper.Fernandez pitched for two state championship teams at Braulio Alonso High School in Tampa, and the Marlins signed him to a $2 million bonus as the 14th overall selection in the 2011 first-year player draft. Fernandez logged a mere 27 starts and 138 1/3 innings in the minor leagues before shoulder injuries to Henderson Alvarez and Nathan Eovaldi landed him a spot in Miamis rotation out of spring training of 2013. Fernandez was sufficiently caught off guard by the news that he had to visit a local mall and buy three suits in adherence to the teams dress code.From his first big league appearance, Fernandez pitched with a fearlessness and swagger beyond his years. Before striking out eight batters in five innings in his big league debut against the New York Mets on April 7, 2013, he told Marlins beat writers that the only things he feared were roller coasters and snakes.Ive been in jail. Ive been shot at. Ive been in the water, Fernandez said. Im not scared to face David Wright. What can he do?As Fernandez burnished his on-the-field achievements, his off-the-field life continued to evolve. In 2014 he was reunited with his grandmother, Olga, whom he referred to as the love of my life. The following April, Olga watched him pitch in the major leagues for the first time as part of a family celebration.Fernandez became a U.S. citizen on April 24, 2015, and he recently posted a photo on his Instagram account of his girlfriend, Carla Mendoza, confirming that she was expecting the couples first child, a girl.?Fernandezs success was a great source of pride to the Latino community in South Florida, and his appearances were heralded as Jose Day. The party atmosphere usually ended with a celebration. Fernandez sported a career record of 29-2 with a 1.42 ERA at Marlins Park, and he clearly fed off the love and support of the local crowds.On Sunday, the Marlins canceled their scheduled game with Atlanta, which would have marked Fernandezs final home start of 2016. Meanwhile, news of Fernandezs death elicited expressions of shock and sympathy from his fellow major leaguers on social media. Among the more poignant responses:The expressions of grief continued throughout the day, as the baseball world struggled to accept the inconceivable: Jose Fernandez, a vibrant young star on the road to greatness, gone much too soon at age 24.Replica Jerseys . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Fake NHL Jerseys .B. -- The Baie-Comeau Drakkar took over sole possession of first place atop the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League on Thursday with their sixth straight win. https://www.fakejerseys.us.com/ . Peter Gammons, an analyst for Major League Baseballs network and website, drew the ire of hockey fans on Sunday when he criticized the two NHL teams on Twitter for their physical game the night before. Fake Baseball Jerseys .Y. -- Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers had no intention of changing his hard-hitting style before taking part in a disciplinary hearing for his illegal check to New Jersey forward Dainius Zubrus head. Fake Hockey Jerseys . Meanwhile, there were huge victories for Sunderland and West Ham over fellow relegation rivals, leaving the battle to avoid the drop up for grabs with the bottom 11 teams separated by just six points. Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres scored second-half goals to seal a fourth straight victory for Chelsea, which climbed above Arsenal and Manchester City in the standings ahead of their games on Monday and Sunday respectively.North Melbourne star Jack Ziebell says hes ready, willing and able to be the next captain of the Kangaroos.The 25-year-old has long been viewed as the heir apparent for the top job that was vacated by Andrew Swallow in October.Norths players will vote on the next captain and coach Brad Scott will also have input into a decision that is expected to come sooner in the pre-season rather than later.Ziebell told reporters on Friday that hes taking nothing for granted, but it would be a huge shock if he didnt take over the job hes long been groomed for.Obviously Ive thought about it a little bit and its something that Ive aspired to do, Ziebell said from the launch of the clubs new logo.But Ive said publicly before that if I was to captain or I wasnt to captain it probably wouldnt change much of my actions and the way I go about my football.Im about trying to help my teammates improve, as well as myself, and drive this footy club to, hopefully, its next premiership.I dont expect anything, but obviously with Andrew stepping down ... theres a position vacant and if its me, thats great, butt if its not Ill support whoever gets the job.ddddddddddddZiebell will take over with his club in a transitional phase after the departures of popular veterans Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Nick Dal Santo and Michael Firrito.The tough midfielder denied the shock cull on the eve of the finals was a factor in their emphatic elimination final exit at the hands of Adelaide.But he conceded the departure of the quartet has ushered in a new era at Arden Street.I think its really exciting. Obviously we farewelled a few of our champions, which was sad, but we understand thats what happens in football, he said.Its tough. They probably all had cases to play on next year, but we all know how football works. Ill back Brads decisions. He had to make tough calls for the footy club.(But) weve got a lot of young guys ready to take their opportunities. We all know what youth brings and thats excitement.Were super excited about 2017 and what it might bring for our footy club. ' ' '