MIAMI – There was no music, and pregame chatter between players was at a minimum at the Marlins prepared to play their first game without Jose Fernandez.
A day after canceling their game against the Braves after hearing of Fernandez's death, the Marlins will take to the field to honor the pitcher by facing the Mets Monday night.
Before a normal game, there is music blasting out of the Marlins Park loudspeakers and a good deal of talking between players.
Monday there was none of that.
As the Marlins took batting practice, several Mets players came over and hugged their counterparts, consoling players,
Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon took infield practice wearing a RIP t-shirt with Fernandez's image taking the place of the "I."
A massive horde of media crowded into the small Marlins dugout to hear manager Don Mattingly talk just hours after he almost broke down speaking of Fernandez on Sunday.
Before the game, a moment of silence will be held as a video montage of Fernandez will play throughout the stadium.
In-game entertainment usually reserved for between innings has been called off for the game.
The entire Marlins team will wear number 16 jerseys in honor of Fernandez, who was killed along with two others in a boating accident off Miami Beach on Sunday morning.
As they did yesterday, the visiting Mets hung a New York jersey with Fernandez's name and number in their dugout. The Marlins tweeted out a picture of the Mets jersey saying "Brotherhood."