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Cuban Ballplayers Mourn The Loss Of Jose Fernandez

CHICAGO (CBSMiami/AP) — Jorge Soler – the Chicago Cubs outfielder – played with Miami Marlins Pitcher Jose Fernandez while the two were growing up in Cuba and even traveled together to Venezuela for a youth tournament.

Soler said Fernandez’s ability was obvious, right from the start.

“Since he was a child, since we were kids, I knew he had something,” Soler said through a translator. “He had a talent. It was very impressive.”

Fernandez’s death in a boating accident at the age of 24 cast a dark shadow over the major leagues on Sunday. Miami’s home game against Atlanta was canceled, and several ballparks observed moments of silence.