Awards voters should back Fernandez

You knew we’d get here eventually. The public grief over Jose Fernandez’s sudden, unimaginable death is still very real and very raw. Personally, I can’t even look at that No. 16 jersey yet — which has understandably been all over social media this week — without getting choked up.

But you knew the award discussion would arise. This close to the 2016 finish line, it had to.

So let’s just put this out there: Fernandez is worthy of receiving the National League Cy Young Award as well as multiple MLB Awards posthumously (Dee Gordon’s touching touch-em-all Monday night is, hands down, our Moment of the Year, as far as I’m concerned).

Fernandez’s case is admittedly more about sentimentality than stats, but the stats make it far more than merely maudlin. And because that case is gaining traction in conversation here in the past day or so, those with an NL Cy Young Award vote (and just for the record, I don’t have one) are faced with a tremendously difficult decision. It’s worth noting the MLB Awards take postseason performance into consideration, whereas the Cy Young Award does not. There’s also a chance Fernandez will be honored with a special MLB Award.

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 Diaz honors Fernandez in grand fashion 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 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 ¬Taken far too young, Fernandez not aloneFormer 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 …

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