It's been 10 years since the Miami Marlins lost pitcher Jose Fernandez. On Sept. 25, 2016, Fernandez was tragically killed in a boating accident at the age of 24.

It was an emotional time for the franchise. One player lifted spirits: Dee Strange-Gordon. The day after Fernandez died, Gordon hit a dramatic lead-off home run in a game against the New York Mets.

Gordon, a left-handed hitter, batted in the right-handed batter's box wearing a right-handed hitter's helmet. He also mimicked Fernandez's batting stance before blasting it out of the park.

10 years later, Gordon reflects upon that moment with candor, per Jeff Passan of ESPN. Gordon believed fate led him to step up to the plate and honor one of his best friends.

In large part because he had planned it all along with Jose himself.

“Me and Jose hit in the cage every day,” Gordon said.

By that point, Gordon hadn't hit any home runs. He also mentioned that he had been suspended for 80 games for violating the league's PED policy. Then Gordon told Fernandez he was saving all that power for the right time.

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“I used to always say, Doggie, I'm saving my homer because I had just got suspended, so I ain't have no homers that year,” Gordon said. “I said Doggie, I'm saving my one homer this year for a big situation.”

Then it came in most tragic yet moving circumstances.

Altogether, Gordon bounced around the league. He began with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2011 to 2014. Then, he played for the Marlins from 2015 to 2017. Afterward, Gordon played for the Seattle Mariners from 2018 to 2020.

Ultimately, Gordon's last stint was with the Washington Nationals in 2022.