Rangers to build statue of fan who died

[Big Dad]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/baseball/mlb/08/15/rangers.death.ap/

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- The Texas Rangers fan killed last month when he fell from the stands at Rangers Ballpark while reaching for a ball will be honored with a bronze statue at the stadium.

The Rangers announced Monday that the statue will depict Brownwood firefighter Shannon Stone and his 6-year-old son Cooper at a Rangers game. The statue likely will be in place for next season outside the park's home plate gate.

Rangers CEO and President Nolan Ryan said it's a fitting tribute to honor Stone, who fell as he reached for a foul ball tossed his way by Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton.

Stone's wife, Jenny, said her family was "touched and grateful" and hoped the sculpture would be a reminder of "the importance of a family's love - love of each other, love of spending time together, and love of the game."


Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz1VC282ZNl

[Lason]

Its very touching but does anyone kind of get the feeling that it is a bit overboard? I mean no disrespect to the guy or his family by any means but just seems kinda over the top.

[Geor!]

I certainly hope that the money I donated didn't go towards buying that statue.

[AdamLX]

Its very touching but does anyone kind of get the feeling that it is a bit overboard? I mean no disrespect to the guy or his family by any means but just seems kinda over the top.

Same thoughts I had when I read the story.

[forbes]

Its very touching but does anyone kind of get the feeling that it is a bit overboard? I mean no disrespect to the guy or his family by any means but just seems kinda over the top.

i know i shouldn't but i had to chuckle on that

[mstng86]

I think it is a bit too much. maybe a plaque.

[clevelandkid]

Should have used that money for higher railings instead.

[pHILSANITY07]

I agree with this being a little too much, maybe dedicate a day to him but not a statue. Honestly the PR made a mad move with this. I thought this story was kinda going away, yes still fresh in our minds but not over the team and the organization.

[Badass2000GT]

Wasn't he drunk when he fell over?

[SMKR]

Its very touching but does anyone kind of get the feeling that it is a bit overboard? I mean no disrespect to the guy or his family by any means but just seems kinda over the top.

attempt at getting sued for less??

[Strychnine]

Should have used that money for higher railings instead.

Railings are being raised to 42".



From what I read (and inferred) this statue, which bears the likeness of that fan and his kid, is to represent 1.) the man who died, but also 2.) the father son bond and love that is associated with the game

The statement also said that the family hoped the statue would be "a reminder of the importance of a family's love -- love of each other, love of spending time together, and love of the game."

But I still think its too much. The only other statues in the ballpark are Nolan Ryan and Tom Vandergriff. No offense, but this guy is not on that level, no matter what message they are trying to spin this to convey.

[TRAXX]

Didn't someone else die falling over the rail in right field a year or two after The Ballpark opened? Wonder how that person's family feels about the statue.

[Lason]

i know i shouldn't but i had to chuckle on that

LOL, that was a mistake on my part. We are both going to hell though, I laughed after you pointed it out.

[Geor!]

Didn't someone else die falling over the rail in right field a year or two after The Ballpark opened? Wonder how that person's family feels about the statue.

Nope.

[Sean88gt]

I'm already mad at myself...but...