Tony Fernandez, a shortstop who made five All-Star teams during his 17 seasons in the major leagues and helped the Toronto Blue Jays win the 1993 World Series, died on Feb. 16 after complications from a kidney disease. He was 57.
Fernandez was taken off a life support system in the afternoon with his family present at a hospital in Weston, Florida, said Imrad Hallim, the director and co-founder of the Tony Fernández Foundation. Fernández had been in a medically induced coma and had waited years for a new kidney.
“The Toronto Blue Jays are deeply saddened by the passing of Tony Fernandez today, one of our club’s most celebrated and respected players,” the Toronto Blue Jays said in a tweet on Sunday. “Enshrined forever in Blue Jays history on the Level of Excellence, Tony left an equally indelible mark in the hearts of a generation of Blue Jays fans during his 12 unforgettable seasons with the team.”
Fernandez spent parts of 12 seasons with the Blue Jays, the team’s website says. He won four consecutive Gold Glove Awards, made five All-Star appearances, and was part of the team’s 1993 World Series championship season.
Toronto Mayor John Tory tweeted, “Joining all @BlueJays fans in grieving the great Tony Fernandez. On behalf of all Toronto residents, I am extending condolences to Tony’s family and friends. #RIPTonyFernandez”
Self-described “diehard fan” Scott BlueJaysAlways tweeted, “Our greatest shortstop EVER and one of the best players to ever put on a #BlueJays uniform.”
Canadian TV personality Steve Patterson tweeted, “He played the game like a kid who couldn’t believe he was getting paid for it. And he treated the kids who were his fans like they were his bosses.”
Fernandez is Toronto’s career leader in hits (1,583), triples (72) and games played (1,450). He was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.
He was born in San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic, a cradle of shortstops and home to dozens of major leaguers who followed such as Sammy Sosa, Alfonso Soriano and Robinson Canó.
After he retired from baseball, Fernandez became an ordained minister and the Tony Fernandez Foundation was established to assist underprivileged and troubled children.
The Associated Press and The CNN Wire contributed to this report
