TAMPA, Fla. – Jose Fernandez's high school jersey was stolen hours after alma mater of the late Marlins pitcher celebrated his life in an emotional on-campus ceremony.
Mark Douglas of WFLAÂ in Tampa reported the jersey was stolen after hundreds attended the memorial at Alonso High School.
Numerous pleas have gone out to whoever stole the jersey with Fernandez's ubiquitous number 16 to return the school's cherished item.
The school promised "no questions asked" if the jersey was returned.
Despite a stead rain, a crowd full of coaches, parents and student were on hand to remember Fernandez who played for the school after emigrating from Cuba in 2008.
The school's assistant principal spoke about Fernandez has a young student.
"He touched my heart, just like he touched many,"Â WFLA reports Diaz said. "How many people he helped and how many people he made smile and how many people he struck out that he didn't make smile. That was Jose."
Whoever stole Jose Fernandez jersey at Alonso HS memorial last night--please have a heart and give it back. @WFLA #FinalFarewell #JDF16 pic.twitter.com/m3UE4dcvN9
— Mark Douglas (@WFLAmark) September 29, 2016