CLEVELAND — Tony Fernandez, the Toronto Blue Jays legend and a onetime Cleveland Indians player, has died.
We join the baseball community in mourning the loss of Tony Fernández.
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) February 16, 2020
Tony's game-winning home run in the top of the 11th inning in game 6 of the 1997 ALCS sent us to the World Series.
Tony will be remembered as a kind man who was enjoyable to work with. pic.twitter.com/V8mw7zNo8x
Over a baseball career spanning from 1983 to 2001, Fernandez played for the Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers and the Seibu (Japan) Lions.
He signed with the Blue Jays in 1979, became the team's mainstay shortstop in 1985 and helped secure the team’s first division title that same year.
In 1993, he played an instrumental role in the Blue Jays' World Series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Fernandez appeared in another World Series with the Tribe in 1997.
2008 Hall of Famer Tony Fernandez passes away
— CDN Baseball HOF (@CDNBaseballHOF) February 16, 2020
Hall of Fame official statement:
“We are heartbroken to learn that Tony Fernandez has passed away. Tony was a baseball legend in every sense. He was a five-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove Award winner, a World Series champion... pic.twitter.com/enr8u45Nl5
Fernandez was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.
He was 57-years-old.