Cooper Stone Throws to Josh Hamilton
Sometimes sports is more than just grown men playing a children’s game on a big field in front of thousands of fans.
There are moments when real life creeps in and there’s nothing you can do about it.
Friday brought us one of those moments.
The Texas Rangers hosted the Tampa Bay Rays in game one of their Major League Baseball playoff series in Arlington on Friday afternoon. Before the game started there was a moment that brought tears to the eyes of adults in attendance and watching at home and in bars on TV. The moment came with the ceremonial first pitch. Typically the 1st pitch in a playoff game would go to a politician or celebrity – but not on Friday.
This was a special circumstance. A little boy named Cooper Stone threw the first pitch to his favourite player, the Rangers Josh Hamilton. Cooper is 6 years old and loves the Rangers, but that’s not why he was there.
On July 7th there was a terrible and tragic accident in Arlington. Josh Hamilton threw a ball into the stands at the request of Shannon Stone, Cooper’s dad. When Shannon reached for the ball he fell over the railing of their 2nd level seats and landed on the ground below. Paramedics were on scene and loaded Mr. Stone onto a stretcher and into an ambulance as Cooper rode in the front with the medics and police.
Shannon, a firefighter, died from his injuries en route.
In the days and weeks that have followed both the Texas Rangers and the Stone family have carried themselves with grace, dignity and the kind of compassion that makes the world a better place to live in.
The Rangers, their players and their fans have held fundraising events in Shannon Stone’s honor. Team President and Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan personally visited the Stone family at their home. And there is a proposal for a statue to be placed outside of the stadium as a tribute to all Rangers fans in tribute to Shannon and Cooper Stone.
For more than 20 years I have dreamed of throwing out the first pitch at a big league baseball game. But never at that cost. A family lost a father, a husband and a son in July. And Friday was just one more day that they have to live without him in their lives.
Sometimes sports is about more than just the game. Sometimes it is inspiring and emotional.
That’s why I love sports.
Cooper Stone and Josh Hamilton
I was hoping that the team would take him under their wing like that. It takes a lot of courage for that little boy to even go back to that ballpark. I teared up just reading this