Following the tragic passing of Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez, retiring Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz requested that the Tampa Bay Rays cancel their pregame ceremony honoring his career. The Rays obliged.
Given today's tragedy, we are canceling our pregame ceremony recognizing @RedSox David Ortiz, per his wishes.
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 25, 2016
Instead, Chris Archer and Evan Longoria of the Rays presented Ortiz his gifts in private before the game. The 40-year-old received an oil painting commemorating his 500th career home run, which he hit at Tropicana Field last year, and 34 handmade Diamond Crown Maximus cigars.
As a retirement gift, Longo and Arch presented David Ortiz an oil painting of his 500th career homer, hit at Tropicana Field in 2015. pic.twitter.com/e5Re52PCqs
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 25, 2016
Fernandez, 24, was killed in a boating accident in Florida early Sunday morning. The Rays, like the rest of major league baseball, held a moment of silence for the pitcher before their game; cameras caught tears streaming down Ortiz's face.
Ortiz took to Twitter on Sunday to address Fernandez's passing.
I dont have the words to describe the pain feel for the loss of my friend Jose. Goodbye, my friend. pic.twitter.com/xvaa5z62RW
— David Ortiz (@davidortiz) September 25, 2016
Ortiz also honored Fernandez on his hat by writing "16 JF" in silver marker.
Fernandez was a big fan of Ortiz's and famously said before this year's All-Star game in San Diego that he was going to groove the slugger three fastballs down the middle of the plate in hopes that Ortiz would hit a home run off him. Facing Ortiz in the third inning, Fernandez walked him on a full count.