Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez was killed at the tragically young age of just 24 in a boating accident over the weekend, on September 25, 2016. Fernandez pitched for the Marlins between 2013 and 2016 and was considered an anchor for a team that struggled to compete within the NL East.

Fernandez grew up in Santa Clara, Cuba; he unsuccessfully attempted to defect three different times, and landed in prison after these attempts. He was finally successful in 2008, and enrolled at the Braulio Alonso High School in Tampa, Florida. He would win the Florida Class 6A State Championship twice with his high school team.

In 2011, Miami selected him in the first round (14th overall) of the MLB draft, and he quickly signed on with the team. He spent two years in the minors, and made an appearance at the 2012 All-Star Futures Game in addition to being named the Marlins’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Fernandez made his Major League debut on April 7, 2013. In that game, he allowed just one run on three hits over five innings, and racked up eight strikeouts, becoming just the seventh pitcher under the age of 21 to record at least eight K’s in his debut since 1916.

That season, Fernandez was selected to represent Miami at the All-Star Game. He pitched a perfect 6th inning for the National League All-Star team. He continued his strong rookie season through the end of that year, and was named the NL Rookie of the Year. He also placed third in Cy Young voting, behind Adam Wainwright and Clayton Kershaw.

Fernandez was named the Opening Day starter for the Marlins in 2014, though his season was woefully short. He ended up needing Tommy John surgery that year, putting him out after just eight starts – though he did record a 4-2 record with a 2.44 ERA that season. His recovery from Tommy John carried over into the 2015 season, where he wouldn’t make his first start of the season until July of that year.

The 2016 season saw Fernandez return to dominance on the mound, and he was elected to his second All-Star Game. His last start was on September 20 against the Washington Nationals, where he pitched eight shutout innings – with 12 K’s and just three hits allowed – in a 1-0 victory for the Marlins. Over the 2016 season, he led MLB with an average of 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings, 16 wins, and a 2.86 ERA.

In the wake of the news of Fernandez’ passing, teams around MLB paid tribute to the pitcher who was as known for his bright smile and winning personality as he was for his four-seam fastball.

“The magnanimity of his personality transcended culture, religion and race,” Marlins President David Samson said at a news conference. “His story is representative of a story of hope, and of love and of faith, and no one will ever let that story die.”