The Miami Marlins lost one of their brightest stars when pitcher Jose Fernandez was tragically killed in a boating accident on Sunday. Monday, they gave him a stirring tribute.

Miami hosted the New York Mets at Marlins Park and both teams came out to stand along the baselines before the game for a moment of silence. Every Marlins player was wearing Fernandez’s jersey and all players had his initials and number written on their hats. Afterward, a somber ‘Take Me Out To The Ballgame’ was played and the teams hugged on the field.

Before returning to their dugout, the Marlins players gathered around the mound and drew Fernandez’s number in the dirt.

While that part was planned, what happened next certainly wasn’t. Lefty Dee Gordon walked to the plate and took the first pitch from the right-handed batter’s box, a nod to the right-handed Fernandez. He returned to the left side and, two pitches later, hit a home run off Bartolo Colon. Gordon broke down while running the bases as teammates pounded the dugout padding like Fernandez would.

The Marlins won the game 7-3 and afterward returned to the mound where they knelt one more time and left their hats behind in tribute to their fallen teammate.

Even though it was a tribute no one ever would have wanted to have to do, it was a remembrance the Marlins and their fans will never forget.

Update: Afterward, Dee Gordon added some poignant, emotional comments on the game and what hitting the home run meant to him.

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.