Mets can’t help but feel ripples of jarring loss

MIAMI — Bartolo Colon stood immobile on the pitcher’s mound, a foot or two from the rubber, gazing into the Marlins’ dugout. He looked stoic as the Marlins celebrated something bigger and grander and more impactful than a pennant chase, the blistering first note of a 7-3 win over the Mets.

Inside, a man who has seen so much over a quarter-century in baseball was melting.

Moments earlier, Colon had given up perhaps the most impactful home run in Miami baseball history. Marlins Park was the unofficial site of a wake; the 26,933 on site were in mourning. Before entering the ballpark, thousands of them paused at a makeshift memorial for Jose Fernandez, the 24-year-old star pitcher who died on Sunday morning in a boating accident.

Some signed a turquoise Fernandez jersey left on the pavement. Others set down flowers, untold bouquets of them, before shuffling into the ballpark and shedding a few more tears. Even the most hardened of them unspooled their emotions when Dee Gordon hit a leadoff home run against Colon, sobbing as he re-entered the dugout.

Jose Fernandez: 1992-2016 Beloved star Fernandez dies in tragic accident Fernandez’s life a tale of the American Dream United Marlins mourn loss of Fernandez Tearful return: Emotional Marlins win After honoring friend, Dee delivers 1st homer Marlins honor Fernandez by wearing No. 16 Mets, Marlins unite in remembering Jose Fans pay tribute to Fernandez at Marlins Park Baseball community mourns Fernandez together Fernandez fondly recalled by fellow Cubans Taken far too young, Fernandez not alone Marlins statement on Jose Fernandez Loria statement on passing of Fernandez Fernandez’s career stats Retrospective photo gallery Marlins president Samson on tragedy More Fernandez remembrances and highlights More coverage ¬Former Marlins GM Jennings: Jose ‘a throwback’Marlins’ playoff picture meaningless at momentPuig tearfully recalls his friend FernandezLupica: Our hearts break: RIP Jose FernandezFernandez’s death hits McCullers hardOrtiz cancels ceremony; honors friend FernandezBraves mourn Fernandez at Marlins ParkPirates mourn loss of ‘wonderful’ FernandezCishek, Mariners reflect on life of FernandezMets mourn Fernandez’s ‘love for the game’Fernandez’s death resonates with SciosciaNeal, Alonso mourn their friend FernandezNats, …

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