Dee Gordon, Jose Fernandez
 
By: Jeff Eisenband -
9/26/2016

The Marlins wasted no time celebrating the life of Jose Fernandez. In the team's first game since his death, Dee Gordon teed off on Bartolo Colon for a lead-off home run Monday.


Gordon burst into tears upon crossing home plate. His Marlins teammates, all wearing No. 16 Fernandez jerseys, greeted him at the top step of the dugout. The team also honored Fernandez' life by leaving the mound -- decorated with a No. 16 -- unoccupied for the national anthem.


Gordon, Fernandez' teammate for two seasons, posted an emotional Instagram tribute to the pitcher Sunday.


My brother. You were family to me...my heart is hurting wishing you would just burst through the clubhouse doors any second now late like always laughing telling me how many red and yellow snapper you caught last night...you were always happy and kept the biggest smile on your face...you may have rubbed people who didn't get to know you the wrong way at times but I always had your back no matter what and didn't never let you get in any of those brawls...last Sunday when you came to chapel with me is crazy now bc you said you needed to go...you just told me that your last game was "the best game I ever pitched in my life" and it was your last...I don't know if God was calling you last Sunday and made you decide to come to chapel or helped you pitch your best game but I do know I love you and I'm so hurt to see my brother go...I know I'm being selfish but you weren't just a teammate to me...you were family...I love you Josey!!! Long Live YOU FOREVER!!!! Rest In Peace my brother I hope you and God catch the biggest fish heaven has to offer. #JDF16FOREVER

A photo posted by Dee Gordon (@deeg5599) on

Fernandez was killed in a boating accident early Sunday. The Marlins' game scheduled for Sunday afternoon against the Braves was canceled.

The Marlins are retiring Fernandez' No. 16. The two-time All-Star and 2013 N.L. Rookie of the Year was 24.


-- Follow Jeffrey Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband.

Bartolo Colon, Baseball, Dee Gordon, Home Run, Jose Fernandez, Lead-off home run, Miami Marlins, MLB, New York Mets