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Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez, right, hugs his grandmother Olga Fernandez, of Cuba, left, following the Marlins' 10-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies during an opening day baseball game, Monday, March 31, 2014, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez, right, hugs his grandmother Olga Fernandez, of Cuba, left, following the Marlins' 10-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies during an opening day baseball game, Monday, March 31, 2014, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)Lynne Sladky

Marlins' Jose Fernandez's Grandmother Watches Him Pitch in MLB for First Time

Kyle Newport
Apr 1, 2014

The Miami Marlins' Jose Fernandez is the best young pitcher in Major League Baseball, but he had not pitched a professional game in front of his grandmotherโ€”until Monday.

In 2013, Fernandez was sensational. The right-hander went 12-6 with a 2.19 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. His numbers ranked among the best in the National League, and he ran away with the NL Rookie of the Year award.ย 

His season was spectacular, but it was what happened after the season that he will remember for the rest of his life.

When Fernandez received his NL Rookie of the Year award in November, he was in for a terrific surprise. His grandmotherโ€”who had not seen him since he was 15 years oldโ€”surprised him.

Although Olga Fernandez was not able to see her grandson pitch in person during his rookie season, she was in attendance for the 21-year-old's start on Opening Day inย 2014:

Lynne Sladky
Lynne Sladky
Lynne Sladky

The Miami pitcher allowed only one run on five hits and struck out nine batters in six innings to help the Marlins start the new season with a victory.

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