Jose Fernandez-signed baseballs wash ashore on Miami Beach

Joe Rodgers

Jose Fernandez-signed baseballs wash ashore on Miami Beach image

Just hours before the Miami Marlins conducted a moving tribute at Marlins Park in honor of Jose Fernandez Monday, eerie mementos of the boating accident that killed the 24-year-old ace washed ashore Miami Beach. 

According to WSVN-TV, a bag containing four baseballs autographed by Fernandez, along with his checkbook, were discovered on the beach. 

The bag was found nearly a mile from the accident. Miami's Ocean Rescue Division Chief Vincent Canosa confirmed the bag was given to a lifeguard by a beachgoer and appeared to belong to Fernandez or his friends, Emilio Macias and Eduardo Rivero, who were also killed as a boat in which they were riding struck a jetty and overturned. Their bodies were discovered by the Coast Guard around 3:15 a.m. Sunday.

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Investigators are still trying to piece together the final hours of Fernandez's life. According to the Miami Herald, Fernandez and his friends were at American Social Bar & Kitchen in Brickell before the accident. Will Bernal, a friend of Rivero, believes Fernandez was upset about something before the trio boarded his boat.

 

Our last phone conversation and text messages last night. I feel sick to my stomach. Everyone is talking about Jose Fernandez but you died trying to be there for him and be a good friend. This doesn't sit with me well. I write this with the heaviest heart I've ever had. I just lost Tony and now I lost another best friend. I can't get over this nightmare. I already miss you and our daily conversations. You died being a great friend. You went to be with Jose and help him when he called you. I tried so hard to tell you not to go out on that boat. It didn't feel right and we both knew it. I'm choking on tears writing this, you don't deserve this. We were just talking about life at the Marlins game and how precious it is. I can't believe you are gone. The pain I have is unexplainable. I feel guilty that I didn't do a better job of trying to convince you not get on that boat. You told me just so I know in case something happens. You had a gut feeling and that is killing me. I love you bro, you'll always be the little brother I never had. I'm in shock, I'm still waiting for you to call me or txt me. We were so excited to celebrate your birthday in Vegas. You were loved by many and I'll do my best to stay involved with them. Lauren and I will keep you in our prayers. Rest In Peace brother. Love you little bro Eddy Rivero @e_greeneyes #rip #mybrotherfromanothermother

A photo posted by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀# Will Bernal (@willbernal) on

Bernal told the Herald that Fernandez might have been stressed after getting into an argument with his girlfriend, who recently announced she was pregnant. 

Joe Rodgers