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Marlins pay tribute to Jose Fernandez during emotional win

One day after Jose Fernandez’s tragic death, the Miami Marlins took the field against the New York Mets hoping to pay tribute to one of baseball’s brightest talents and biggest personalities.

With Fernandez’s death still fresh on the minds of every single Marlins player, it proved to be an emotional event.

During pregame ceremonies, the entire Marlins team, clad in their No. 16 jerseys, met at the mound and knelt down around it.

The team then gathered together as outfielder Giancarlo Stanton spoke to his teammates while fighting back tears.

Shortly after the pregame ceremony had ended, the Mets walked over to embrace the Marlins players on the field.

When it came time for the starting lineup announcements, the Marlins’ position players surrounded the mound.

The club’s relievers, who would usually begin the game in the bullpen, waited until the top of the first inning to head out there in order to be with their teammates.

With that, the team took the first for the first inning of the contest. Many players, including Stanton, were weeping as they played catch prior to the start of the top of the first, and throughout the inning.

That emotion carried over to Miami’s first at-bat of the game, as Dee Gordon hit a solo home run to right field, and broke down in tears as he crossed home plate.

Over the next two innings, the Marlins continued to hit. The club tacked on four more runs in the second, and an additional two runs in the third. That proved to be more than enough, as the team came away with the 7-3 win.

At the center of the Marlins’ performance was Gordon. The second baseman went 4-for-5 during the contest, with one run scored and two RBI. He also supplied fans with one of the most uplifting highlights in sports history.

Following the game, the Marlins stood in a circle around the pitcher’s mound with their arms intertwined, paying tribute to Fernandez.

Once that was finished, every player took off their caps and placed them on the mound.

When the park had cleared, and barely anyone else remained in Marlins Stadium, the Marlins returned to the mound one final time.

Prior to the contest, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria announced the franchise would retire Fernandez’s No. 16. After Monday’s game, no Marlins player will wear No. 16 again.

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik