He tried to defect from his home of Cuba three times as a teenager, but failed, even landing in a Cuban prison when he was 15 years old. The fourth time he was successful, but it wasn’t easy, especially after his mom fell off the boat and he jumped in the ocean to save her. They eventually made it to Mexico, and then to Texas, and eventually he was able to pursue his dream of being in the Major League.
Everyone that had the pleasure of meeting him remembers him as being a joyful person. Just a couple of days ago he shared a picture of his pregnant girlfriend, whom he loved very much and was very excited about becoming a father. Fans from Miami to Cuba mourn Fernández, a life gone too soon.
