Aledmys Diaz is the breakout, rookie shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is also the childhood friend of Jose Fernandez, who passed away this weekend. Diaz, whose Cardinals are fighting for a Wild Card spot in this, the final week of the regular season, understandably requested some time away to be with Fernandez’s family in the wake of the terrible tragedy.
Diaz returned to the Cardinals tonight, and then he hit his first career grand slam:
I'm not crying, you're crying. #JDF16 pic.twitter.com/rQl0u3z4Er
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) September 28, 2016
Aledmys Diaz hits a grandslam just days removed from the death of his childhood friend, Jose Fernandez. Baseball is beautiful sometimes. pic.twitter.com/2reo2gYlpt
— Cards Nation (@CardsNation13) September 28, 2016
No matter who you are or which team you love, you can cheer in that moment. The sadness is still fresh, but baseball has provided these unscripted, powerful moments of healing.
Diaz spent Monday mourning in Miami and before returning to #STLCards lineup today said, "I only play for [Fernandez's] family right now."
— Jenifer Langosch (@LangoschMLB) September 28, 2016
The Cardinals celebrated on Twitter, and the Marlins responded:
Diaz's 1st major league grand slam! That one was for you, Jose. #STLCards pic.twitter.com/FUFPMp7RLK
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) September 28, 2016
@Cardinals pic.twitter.com/73egbeEhhT
— #VoteMarlins (@Marlins) September 28, 2016