Posted on 04/07/2012 6:48:31 PM PDT by Lmo56
ARLINGTON (AP) - Nine months after a Texas Rangers fan died after falling over an outfield railing at a game, his 7-year-old son helped unveil a statue Thursday honoring his father and others who love America’s pastime.
The life-size bronze statue depicts Shannon Stone and his son, Cooper, wearing baseball caps. They are holding hands and looking at each other as if they’re talking. The inscription reads: In memory of Shannon Stone and dedicated to all fans who love the game.
“Today is a celebration of spirit, family and love of the game,” Rangers President Nolan Ryan said. “This bronze represents so many things that are good about baseball — competition, happiness, memories — and I think Shannon embodied what we as an organization hope for in our fans.”
(Excerpt) Read more at dfw.cbslocal.com ...
AND, erecting a statue in this idiot's memory is stupid! Erecting it in the memory of all fans [without mentioning this guy specifically] is one thing - better yet, erect one in memory of our fallen military service members ...
I just watched the video of the incident - and the fan tried to Bogart the ball from another fan [who had a glove] by angling in front of the other fan, thus blocking him from catching the ball with the glove. Thats when he went off-balance and toppled over the wall ...
Baseball etiquette dictates that when the ball is hit towards you - you don't try to push, shove, block etc. anybody else from having a fair shot at the ball. You stand straight up and if you can reach over [with your arm out] on the side in front of the other guy - fine. But you don't try to prevent somebody from having a shot at it either.
If something happens to you because you tried to horn in on someone - too bad.
Ya pays yer money ... ya takes yer chances - just sayin' ...
that is uncool.
***
Why does poor Humphrey bear such reproach?
You are entitled to your opinion however it would be appropriate for you to temper your comments out of respect for the deceased and his family. The man certainly did not expect to die that day and probably thought nothing of leaning out for the ball.
Nolan Ryan and the Rangers have gone to a lot of expense trying to be a class act to this young man. In my eyes, at least, they have succeeded. I'm sure the kid would rather have his father back than the statue.
Bushs fault
I’m sorry, but sometimes not saying anything would have been the best approach for you. The guy didn’t jump over the rail for the ball. He lost his balance and fell over reaching for it. The statue is for him and for all the dads that take their son to ball games (as my dad did and as I plan on taking my kid when I have one). Show some respect.
I saw the YouTube video of this guy and he was focused in on the incoming ball and unfortunately he did not realize the danger he was in until it was too late.
Don't get me wrong - I have A LOT of empathy that the kid lost his father.
We [as parents] want to be able to give things to our children. But, the biggest gift we can give them is to do our best to be there for them as long as possible - for the important things in life.
Teaching them to be responsible, teaching them driver safety, providing for their education, etc.
Sadly, the boy is not going to have any of that now. All because his father extended over half his body at a 45 degree angle over the railing [which, BTW, is a no-no at the Rangers stadium] - and all because of a ... baseball.
Um, this is really weird. How about making the stadium railings structured so idiots can’t tumble to their deaths when reaching for baseballs. Just a suggestion. More useful than monuments to human failing.
Look at the video on Youtube - he moved half his body over the railing at a 45 degree angle in front of the fan in the next seat [who was also going for the ball].
NOT smart - and I would not be surprised [but cannot tell from the video] if the fan collided with him [from behind] and that might have contributed to the accident.
Maybe so. But its still a pretty lame reason to erect a statue. I know I won’t spend any time looking at it.
I agree, they made the most of a very sad accident. Tragedy is just that...but they did the best they could with the cards they were dealt.
The NHL puts up netting now behind the goals to prevent pucks [shot on goal] from deflecting into the crowd. This was in response to the death of a young girl at a Columbus Blue Jackets game. She was hit in the temple by a deflected puck ...
Just another way to honor and uplift the idiots of America.
This.
We all have opinions on everything. This doesn't mean we always have to share them.
Yeah, reaching for a ball and losing ones balance is being an idiot. /sarcasm
Don’t worry. The scrappers will steal it soon and nobody will remember this guy or the spirit of baseball anymore.
Cheer up, though. Gladitorial combat is coming soon!
This is our new reality. Achievement is shunned while mediocrity and mundane are lauded. Up is down, down is up. Religion is evil, even though “good and bad” don’t exist.
I predict 5 years from now that silly statue will be removed and scrapped.
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