There are certain bonds and moments that only a father and son share. The first day a dad teaches his son to shave, a first beer they share together, or teaching him how to drive. But there's not much more of a universal connection between a father and a son then a trip down to the ballpark. I typically try not to put too much emotion or judgment into a story when I read it, because more often than not it can eat away at you. But for the first time in a long time, my emotions got the best of me when I read the story of the man who fell and died at a Texas Rangers game Thursday night.
When I first found out of the news, all I saw was a headline that read. "Fan Falls and Dies at Rangers Game." That news is obviously disappointing in itself, but when I read more and more about it, the more devastating the news felt. The fan was a father, and not only a father, but one who brought his six year old son to the game. When Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton fielded a foul ball, he nodded at the father, Shannon Stone, indicating that the next ball he got would go to him. So, when the opportunity came, Hamilton threw the ball to Stone. In an attempt to catch the ball Stone fell over the railing and fell nearly twenty feet to his death.
The extremely tough part to read was that his son was there to witness all of it. It hits home because I remember all the trips I took down to the ballpark or times I played catch with my dad. It's a feeling that I'm sure is greater for a father than it is for a son, and hopefully one I will have someday. But when a father takes his son to a game, he wants nothing more than to give his son a souvenir to remember it by.
When I was younger I went to a Cincinnati Cyclones game with my dad and my friend. During the game a hockey puck was shot into the stands and my dad caught it (or as my friend Erik still likes to remind me that he "stole it" from him...but he'll live) Anyway, he caught the puck and gave it to me and I remember I was the happiest kid on the planet. It's memories like this that make it tough to read or even think about Stone's six year old son Cooper and what he is feeling right now.
It reminded me to never take anything for granted and also reminded me of the great memories I have cherished with my dad. Hopefully reading this will serve as a reminder to tell your parents you love them. Don't do it because you feel forced to, or have to, do it because you truly feel it at the moment, and never take anything for granted.
My condolences go out to Cooper Stone and his family, as I can't imagine the sadness they must feel.
