The MLB All-Star break is the perfect time for every writer to hand out awards. First-Half Cy Young. Most Improved Player. Best First-Half Plays. It’s an easy article and is almost expected. I was assigned to write something like that on the Round Rock Express. But I can’t. This All-Star break has me thinking about something different.
There’s a dreary cloud that hovers over the otherwise sunny city of Phoenix, Ariz., during this All-Star break. The sad story of Texas Rangers fan Shannon Stone falling to his death while trying to catch a foul ball continues to stay in the headlines five days after the accident.
It’s a tragic story that continued to get worse as the days go by. Details like Stone’s son’s favorite player being Josh Hamilton came out. Before the game the Stone men went to buy a glove in hopes to catch a foul ball. Stone was said to have been asking about his son’s safety as the devoted father was minutes away from taking his last breath. All of those tidbits made everything more heartbreaking and hard to endure.
It’s been impossible to ignore the story over the break. It doesn’t help that Rangers’ manager Ron Washington is the American League manager, which of course involved a press conference that predictably had questions about Stone and AL All-Star Hamilton.
Even more fuel was added to the fire during Monday night’s Home Run Derby when a fan almost repeated the Stone accident by almost falling headfirst 20 feet while trying to catch a Prince Fielder home run. After what happened to Stone and his 6-year-old son, I pray that the Arizona man is not a father or I might end up giving out awards in this article after all. First Award? Worst Father of the Year.
For a long time baseball has been known as America’s pastime. More specifically, though, it’s a father and son pastime. Look no further for evidence of that than Monday’s Home Run Derby when Robinson Cano won the competition with his father pitching to him. As a lifetime Yankees hater, even I couldn’t help but be happy for the son and father sharing an unbelievable accomplishment together.
While the All-Star game is supposed to be a time for celebration, this year it has become a time for reflection. Stone’s son will never get to have the experience that Cano shared with his dad, nor will he get to grow up with a father like many of us did; something I certainly won’t take for granted.
I’m grateful for the road trip I got to take with my father to Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, and Camden Yards when I was 15 years old. And I love the many conversations I’ve had with him as I complain about the Yankees payroll while he blissfully ignores me. The next time I see my father, I’ll hug him, tell him I love him, and will start on a rant about why Derek Jeter is a wimp for not attending the all-star game because of “exhaustion.” (Some things, like my Yankees hatred, never change.)
Lastly, there is a silver lining to Shannon Stone’s story getting so much attention. Along with the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce setting up a memorial fund, the Texas Rangers have also set up a memorial fund for the Stone family. Even a $10 donation will help out a family in heavy mourning. Give what you can and pray for their healing. Every little bit helps.
This article appears in July 8 • 2011.