Cuban American Miami Marlins pitcher José Fernández, 24, alongside friends Eduardo “Eddy” Rivero, 25, and Emilio Macias, 27, were killed when Fernandez’s 32-foot SeaVee fishing boat crashed into a jetty sometime before 3 a.m. Sunday morning, September 25, 2016 as it traveled southbound back toward Miami Beach. Authorities say speed was a factor.
The friends from high school who joined Fernández for the late-night boating jaunt were there to console their friend who had reportedly argued with his girlfriend.
Rivero’s grieving friend Will Bernal encouraged him to stay seaside and not go on the boat. A grieving Bernal posted the text message exchange on Instagram.
Who were those loyal friends whose lives ended tragically? Macias worked in wealth management for Wells Fargo Advisors. Rivero worked for Carnival Corp., the cruise line.
“I told him I didn’t want him to go out on the boat and to be careful,” Bernal told CBSMiami. “I didn’t have a good feeling. It’s too dark at night. I basically told Eduardo that even though he was stressed out right now, he wouldn’t even think about it next week. He’s young and going out on the water is not going to solve your problems.
(José Fernández’s beautiful pregnant girlfriend is due in February)
Fernández was scheduled to pitch Monday night at home against the New York Mets. Instead his teammates were mourning his death. In pre-game tribute to the ace pitcher, as a video of Fernández played throughout the ballpark to a trumpet version of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” they signed their names in the pitcher’s mound and every Marlins player wore Fernández’s No. 16 jersey.
Both Macias‘ and Rivero‘s families have set up GoFundMe accounts Sunday to help pay for funeral expenses.
Check out photos of José Fernández’s high school best friends, Rivero and Macias in the photo gallery as well as the last text Bernal received from his friend before his passing.
