Pre-Game Ceremony Honoring David Ortiz Cancelled After Jose Fernandez's Death
BOSTON (CBS) -- A pre-game ceremony recognizing retiring Red Sox slugger David Ortiz has been cancelled--per Ortiz's wishes--after the death of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez.
Fernandez, 24, was killed along with two others in a boating accident Sunday morning in Miami.
Ortiz asked the Tampa Bay Rays to cancel the ceremony, which would have honored him upon his final appearance at Tropicana Field. He and Fernandez were close friends.
On Sunday morning, Ortiz tweeted, in English and Spanish, "I dont have the words to describe the pain feel for the loss of my friend Jose."
The Red Sox, along with several Boston players, tweeted their condolences Sunday.
Red Sox pitcher David Price called Fernandez "hands down one of my favorite guys to watch pitch" on Twitter Sunday morning.
The Marlins cancelled their Sunday game against the Atlanta Braves.
In a statement, the team said, "The Miami Marlins organization is devastated by the tragic loss of Jose Fernandez. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time."
