A Baseball Dad reacts to Tragedy at Texas Rangers Game

July 9, 2011 by 6 Comments

Photo Credit - AP - Jeffrey Washington

I have a son named Cooper.  He and I love to go to baseball games.  It’s our most favorite thing to do.  I’d love to get a game ball for Cooper some day.  We sit in the bleachers together enjoying our time together, chatting with like minded fans around us, and Coop begs an outfielder to flip him a ball.  He just wants a souvenir from a real live Major Leaguer.  What kid doesn’t?

Prior to Thursday, July 7th, 2011, the preceding paragraph could have been written by me or a Texas Dad named Shannon Stone.

By now, almost anyone reading this post knows the tragedy that occurred at the Texas Rangers baseball game on Thursday night.  39-year old Shannon Stone attempts to catch a ball thrown into the stands by Outfielder Josh Hamilton.  Ball finds his glove, but his momentum carries him over the railing crashing to the concrete 20-feet below.  Stone dies on the way to the hospital.  6-year old Cooper is left without a father.

I, first, heard the news when my sobbing mother called to tell me this morning on my commute to work.  I heard the entire story while listening to ESPN Radio.  Then, I cried to myself as I drove for the next hour.

Our Cooper

All day, I kept thinking about Cooper:  My blond-headed best friend … and Cooper Stone, the 6-year old who just wanted to have fun with HIS best friend, his daddy, at a ball game.  His Dad bought him a new ball glove on the way to the game.  Coop was wearing a Josh Hamilton jersey.  It was all set to be the perfect night for these two best buddies (Dad and Son).

Coop, I feel for you little man.  There are no words I can write to explain why something like this happens.  I’m not going to get all holy here, but I believe in the big fella upstairs, and I’m wondering if God took the night off last night.  Despicable, unthinkable unimaginable, inexplicable things take place everyday, but this just seems so pointless.  Yes, there are zillions of examples of pointless acts of tragedy, but for some reason, this one is like a fastball to the gut.  A dad and his boy at a ballgame.  Dad catches his son a memory.  And, that’s where this story should have ended…the two go home, show mom their ball and put up posters of Josh Hamilton all over Coop’s bedroom.   Instead, there’s not a dry eyed father in the stands tonight at a ballgame; most notably the Dad playing outfield for the Texas Rangers.

I’m going to go watch a game with my boy now.  I love him so much.  I ache for 6-year old Cooper Stone.  I’m so sorry little guy.  I’m just so incredibly sorry for you and your mommy.

Sincerely,

Daddy of another baseball fan named Cooper

 

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  • Kimberly

    I have been hugging my boys a little tighter since that night  :(

  • http://www.thebobbypin.com Natalie

    I just don’t understand why things like this happen. I know that someone would say “God has to follow the laws of physics, yadda, yadda” but I want Him to turn back time and give Cooper his dad back. 

  • Dwmatty

    As a lifelong baseball fan, and a dad with a son, this really hits hard.  There are so many ironies in this story.  I can’t even imagine the grief this family must endure, and the memory that Cooper will live with forever.  And let’s not forget Hamilton who must feel horrible about it.  I hope that the Rangers organization re-evaluates the safety of their stadium, as this is the 4th incident of someone falling.

  • http://www.deepintolove.com/ Craig S.

     words seriously, seriously fail. And the same name as your small person – that must’ve hit hard. whenever I hear of this kind of senseless tragedy – the kind of stuff I used to blame God for – I run to the answer that makes most sense to me. The world was made perfect, there was a Fall, the world since has been broken, it will be made right again but for right now – broken – and stupid things happen to people who don’t deserve it, and good things happen to people who don’t deserve them – in a broken world this kind of stuff happens. It helps me understand a little bit better – God bless and keep you and your bride and your two small people – and by the way – I think I may have commented to Danielle before about this – but Cooper – the boy looks every bit of a pro ballplayer – and something tells me that’s not Danielle’s touch.

  • http://lostandforgotten.wordpress.com/ Marta

    That post made me cry all over again from when I first heard the story. I can’t imagine how terrible for the son to have such a wonderful moment turn into such a horrendous tragedy.

  • http://www.hippiespelunker.com lisamariemary

    I’m relieved to read that I wasn’t alone in the depth of sorrow that this story caused me. I try to separate myself from many news stories, because, I am so sensitive. If I’m not careful, I get stuck feeling for every person who has a story in the news about the tragedy they’ve suffered ‘today’. My family really doesn’t understand me sometimes. There was no chance of separating myself with this story, however. It hit me and it hit me hard. Just like you say – in the gut. I couldn’t concentrate on any other thing the rest of the evening. I felt so much for little Cooper and also for Josh. And, of course, for Cooper’s dad. But the pain, sorrow and sadness that Cooper and Josh will go through seemed hauntingly painful and hauntingly real to me – even if I don’t know them. Ok, I will go on all night if I don’t just nip it in the bud here – but, thank you so much for posting this. Even though I ran into it after the fact, it has really made me feel …I don’t want to say ‘better’. But it has helped. So thank you.