With Jose Fernandez’s tragic death still fresh in their minds, the Miami Marlins can at least be thankful that more players weren’t involved in the horrific boat accident early Sunday morning.
Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna said he and at least two other teammates declined invitations to go on Fernandez’s boat the night it crashed into a rock jetty just off South Beach, killing the 24-year-old pitcher and two others, Emilio Jesus Macias and Eduardo Rivero, according to ESPN.com.
“That night I told him, ‘Don’t go out,’ ” Ozuna said Monday, according to the Miami Herald. “Everybody knew he was crazy about that boat and loved being out on the water. I told him I couldn’t go out that night because I had the kids and my wife waiting for me.
“He told me if I didn’t hear from him by 10 a.m. (Sunday morning) to call him and wake him up so he could get back to the ballpark on time for the game. I told him, ‘Yeah no problem, I’ll call you.’ I woke up Sunday, and that’s when I found out. I cried and cried.”
Fernandez and Ozuna played together in the minors and both debuted in the majors in 2003. Ozuna might be Fernandez’s best friend on the Marlins, so the recent tragedy really is hitting him hard, especially knowing the invitation that was on the table.
“I hope to God I will see Jose again one day, see him smile and have him tell me, ‘My brother, my big bear, let’s go have some fun. I love you. I’m good,’ ” Ozuna said, according to the Herald.
Thumbnail photo via Howard Smith/USA TODAY Sports Images
