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Jose Fernandez: Smile, Passion, Exuberance - Playing a Kids Game The Right Way

October 5, 2016


By Dylan Hefflinger and PBR Staff
Ontario Editor in Chief / NW Scout

Like many others, the Jose Fernandez news hit me extremely hard. Waking up and seeing the breaking news on the bottom line ... wow ... I still get choked up thinking about it a week later.

Was I a Miami Marlins fan? No, far from it.

As a kid growing up in Northwest Ohio, I grew up in a family that loved three "teams" in sports, Cleveland (Indians, Browns, Cavs), Ohio State and local sports. That being said, when I was 12-years-old I was able to watch my beloved Cleveland Indians in the World Series (for the second time in three years). This time, in 1997, against the Florida Marlins ... To make a long story short, the Marlins defeated the Indians in seven games and I had tears in my eyes (for the second time in three years).

Well, I have not once rooted for the Marlins or Atlanta Braves since those days as a kid. That is, until September 26th, a day after the Marlins cancelled their game due to the Fernandez news. That day everyone was a Marlins fan and anyone who saw the bottom of the 1st inning, knows there was at least one more Marlin playing for them that day. His name ... Jose Fernandez.

Remembering Jose Fernandez

Twenty years from now how will I remember Fernandez? Will it be his arm talent? Will it be his smile or the passion he played the game with? Or will it be the many stories about fleeing Cuba for the USA? That is an easy answer, it will be all of those combined.

Fernandez, in my opinion, is the most talented athlete to pass away while in his prime in my 31 years of being alive. A sure lock to be a future Hall of Famer as evident by this quote: "I saw a better talent than I was lose his life this tragic morning," said HoF RHP Pedro Martinez of Fernandez in his role as TBS analyst.

Fernandez' smile and passion for the game put joy on the faces of the youngest fan to the older fan as you can read or see by many other articles and videos that have been written about Fernandez.

And anybody that hasn't read or heard about Fernandez and his families struggle fleeing Cuba, please click these links and read. Heavy.com article and CNN article.

What should the youth take from Jose Fernandez?

Most of us who have played the great game of baseball started at a very young age. For myself, one of the earliest memories I have was of my grandpa throwing the wiffle ball to me in his back yard when I was 3- or 4-years-old.

Back when we were kids, playing the game was about one thing ... having fun. Don't get me wrong, I am as competitive a person as there is and I always wanted to win. But having fun leads to winning. And winning helps to having fun.

As stated before, Fernandez was the prime example of a grown man having fun playing a kids' game. The smile and passion he showed on the mound and in the dugout are memories I will never forget.

So what does this mean for the baseball players 10 years of age or those 18?

Whether it is on or off the baseball field, all baseball players should conduct themselves the way Fernandez did - with a smile on your face. Don't showboat when you are winning and don't pout when you aren't playing well. This is a sport where you will fail more than you succeed. Getting the job done one out of three times at the plate is considered a success.

The same thing goes for coaches, parents and fans. Respect the game. After all, it is a game and you never know when it can be taken away from you in a blink of the eye.

Why Smile?

According to a 2011 Forbes article, a 2010 Wayne State University research project that looked at baseball cards of Major League players in 1952 smiling adds to your life. As you can see in the article, the study found that a player's smile could actually predict the span of said player's life. Players who showed no smile in their pictures lived an average of only 72.9 years, while players with radiant smiles lived an average of 79.9 years.

No, Fernandez did not get to reach the age of 72 or 79, but for all of those that saw the way he played the game - with a smile on his face that could brighten up anyone's day - I would have thought there would be no way he wouldn't have reached the age of 80 and beyond!

via GIPHY

As seen in a 2013 Rant Sports article or a more recent article last week by Mashable.com, there have unfortunately been numerous athletes that have passed away tragically during their playing careers. Every athlete writes their own stories, whether positively or negatively, but when looking through the names of these athletes and seeing their pictures, one thing is always true ... the ones that played their sport with a smile on their face were also the ones who put the biggest smiles on our (the fans/spectators) faces.

Thank you, Jose Fernandez. Your love for the game, your passion, your ability and of course your smile will never be forgotten. RIP JF16.

I am not alone in having a position opinion about Fernandez. Some of our scouting directors wanted to give their thoughts on the Marlins' great and playing the game the right way.

Jordan Chiero, Ohio Scouting Director
"When I saw the news about Fernandez I was in total shock and felt sick to my stomach. I have always been a fan of his because of his passion and competitiveness on the field, but had no idea his impact on his team and baseball in general. The reaction from his manager, teammates, and the baseball community showed not only how special of a player he was but how special of a human being he was. 

One can’t fake the passion and joy Jose played the game with and there is no better example of how contagious that can be then his relationship with Barry Bonds. Never as a player or coach have I seen Bonds having as much fun as when he was interacting with Jose. It was like being around Jose allowed Bonds to love the game again. I think Jose had that effect on a lot of people.

via GIPHY

I think as we reflect on Jose and his life/career we can learn a lot from him. His story should make us realize how lucky we are to be a part of this game in this country. His struggles to even get to here involved three failed attempts and a year in prison. For him being in the United States and playing this game was Utopia and he never took it for granted.

For coaches and young players ... the pressures to win, recruiting, scholarships, etc ... it’s easy to lose sight on why we chose this game in the first place. One thing we can all learn and apply from Fernandez is to realize that it’s not as important WHERE we play but to never forget WHY we play and to let that drive your passion on the field."

Aaron Wilson, Michigan Scouting Director
The news of the sudden death of the 24-year-old All-Star pitcher Jose Fernandez was a shock to everyone that heard it. To know that arguably the league's top arm had his life cut short leaving several questions and what-if's about his career.

I learned of his death while on the baseball diamond. After the disbelief and shock of the news, the first thing that came to my mind was the huge smile he played with. Fernandez was a player that you could use as an example for how to play the game. Always having fun, no matter the moment, engaging in conversation with competitors while staying competitive. He will truly be missed as a player and advocate of the game. 

Chris Kemlo, Ontario Scouting Director
"I was shocked and immediately saddened when hearing of the news. I was driving to Canisius to coach and heard a breaking news report on the sports radio. Not knowing what to expect, the news was terrible and couldn't begin to fathom how his family, friends and teammates felt ... as I was so taken back without even personally knowing or meeting him.

He played the game the right way. A fierce competitor, I loved how he attacked hitters ... but never let the game get too big and always seemed to enjoy himself. Always laughing and joking with teammates and even his opponents, you could tell he loved the game and loved being around his teammates and coaches."

Trevor Brown, New England Co-Director of Scouting
"I was saddened when I saw the news about Fernandez. I felt horrible that a guy so young who has worked so hard had everything taken away too soon.

The best thing about coaching kids is when they have a true love for the game and show excitement over not only their own successes but their teammates. Jose showed that at the biggest stage, the Major Leagues.