MLB

Marlins surround Jose Fernandez’s hearse in heart-rending scenes

1 of 15
Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria (left) and players surround Jose Fernandez's hearse on Wednesday.Getty Images
Getty Images
Advertisement
Getty Images
Getty Images
Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell OzunaGetty Images
Advertisement
A.J. Ramos, Dee Gordon and Ichiro SuzukiGetty Images
Marcell Ozuna signs a memorial wall.Getty Images
Barry BondsGetty Images
Advertisement
Getty Images
Getty Images
Getty Images
Advertisement

Miami is laying Jose Fernandez to rest.

Thousands of people descended on Marlins Park on Wednesday for the start of the funeral motorcade as the star pitcher’s public memorial service began. The processions were set to begin at 2:16; Fernandez wore No. 16 in his four seasons. He died early Sunday at the age of 24 in a boating accident off Miami Beach.

Fans gathered hours earlier at the park, leaving flowers and mementos as Miami grieves one of its own — a Cuban defector who made it, but for such a brief time.

The Marlins, in white T-shirts that read “RIP” with an image of Fernandez as the middle letter, flanked the hearse through Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood as it was set to stop at a Coconut Grove church, for a private viewing by family and friends, before heading to a Miami suburb, Westchester, where Fernandez’s body would be on public display at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church.

Many in the crowd of approximately 1,000 chanted “Jose! Jose!” and some waved Cuban flags.

Fernandez’s family placed jerseys onto the casket before it left the park.

A private funeral Mass for Fernandez will be said Thursday.