Your 2016 National League Cy Young Champion: Jose Fernandez

The Miami Marlins donning the number 16 in Monday's win against the New York Mets was an impressive gesture toward the memory of Jose Fernandez. In the past few days, I have wished that this was some sick, twisted joke. But as the hours slowly tick away, and baseball remembers the potential Hall of Fame career lost at just 24 years of age, my mind wants to properly express its feelings. 

Laying in bed on Tuesday night, I wondered if a pitcher had ever won the Cy Young Award posthumously. If not, Jose Fernandez had an impressive case for the award so far this season. In the transition from counting stats to sabermetrics, Jose entered the conversation with his 6.2 WAR rating in 29 starts this season. I admit, this is not the perfect tool. 

Nor is a win-loss record combined with ERA, which in Fernandez' case, was 16-8 and 2.86 this season. 

You know what? Forget about arguing whether or not Jose Fernandez deserves the 2016 National League Cy Young Award. 

Think about Dee Gordon's first at-bat on Monday against the New York Mets. A left-handed batter, he took the first pitch of the game with the same batting stance as his teammate. Later in that same at-bat, he crushed a ball to the second deck at Marlins Park. In a post-game interview, Gordon stated "if you don't believe in God, you might wanna start." 

Think about Aledyms Diaz' grand slam Tuesday night. The twitter accounts of the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins had an interaction that starts the water works for pretty much everyone. 

Think about the family of Jose Fernandez. His mother, who he saved from drowning when he defected from Cuba. Think about his grandmother, who the Marlins arranged a visa for, and surprised Fernandez and reunited their family.

The next part hits me pretty hard. Fernandez and his girlfriend, Maria, who were expecting a baby. 

While it is unlikely that Fernandez will win the Cy Young Award, I think that it would be the comfort his family requires. It may even help the baseball world heal. Unfortunately, from a statistical point of view, there are more qualified candidates. 

I am certain that, in time, Major League Baseball will properly pay homage to the life and legacy of Jose Fernandez. May his joy for playing baseball be replicated.