Earlier this month, Fernandez was taken to a Florida hospital where he was placed into a medically-induced coma over complications from kidney disease.
Fernandez, 57, had battled kidney problems for several years. He was first hospitalized with polycystic kidney disease in 2017.
Imrad Hallim, the director and co-founder of the Tony Fernandez Foundation, told The Canadian Press that Fernandez had been on the waiting list for a new kidney and had been living on dialysis for “many years.”
1:51 Longtime friend donates kidney to save friend
Longtime friend donates kidney to save friend
According to the Mayo Clinic, the disease is an inherited disorder where cyst clusters cause the kidneys to enlarge and lose function over time.
Fernandez is survived by his wife Clara and his children Joel, Jonathan Abraham, Andres and Jasmine.
RIP 2008 Hall of Famer Tony Fernandez. Official statement from HOF coming soon. pic.twitter.com/mcCo29QNtQ
According to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Fernandez, a national of the Dominican Republic, played 2158 games in the major league from 1983 to 2001.
He made his major league debut with the Blue Jays in 1983.
In total, Fernandez spent 12 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays and was part of the World Series-winning team in 1993.
He leads the team’s all-time in hits (1,583), singles (1,160), triples (72) and games played (1,450). He is also fifth in franchise history in batting average (.297), fourth in stolen bases (172) and fifth in runs scored (704).
Fernandez’s defence was a large part of his game. He was awarded four Gold Glove awards in (1986-1989) during his time with the Blue Jays.
In a tweet on Sunday, the Toronto Blue Jays said they were “deeply saddened” by Fernandez’ passing and offered its “deepest condolences” to his family.
“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,” the statement reads. “His impact on the baseball community in Toronto and across Canada is immeasurable.”
During his 18 years in the MLB, Fernandez played for six other teams including the San Diego Padres, the New York Mets, the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians.
He retired in 2001.
Fernandez was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Marys, Ont., in 2008.
Off the field, Fernandez founded the Tony Fernandez Foundation, a charitable organization that works with underprivileged and troubled children through counselling, education, training and physical and spiritual activities.
In a statement, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame said it was “heartbroken to learn that Tony Fernandez has passed away,” and were sending “thoughts and prayers” to his wife and children.
“Tony was everything a hall of famer should be: an all-time-great on the field and a charitable, selfless person away from it,” the statement reads. “We will miss him dearly.”
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
