According to the Sun Sentinel, the late Marlin’s pitcher José Fernández’s daughter was born this past Friday. Maria Arias, girlfriend of Fernández, delivered their child Penelope, a day before the five-month anniversary of his death.
According to sources close to Fernández, he was excited about becoming a father.
He wanted to know, am I going to be a good father?” Scott Boras, Fernández’s agent, said during the baseball player’s funeral. “And I told him, you’re going to be a great father because you’re going to treat your child in the same way that your mother treated you and you’ll know exactly what to do."
According to the family attorney, Arias developed a close bond with Martiza Gomez Fernández, José’s mother, and the two spent time together towards the end of her pregnancy.
The news of Penelope’s birth was announced prior to the team’s first exhibition game.
“It’s going to bring a lot of peace and happiness to both families and friends, and even us,” said Marlins baseman Martin Prado. “Just happy to see a piece of Jose that is going to grow. She’s going to be so blessed.”