FanShot
8 months ago >by TheAntiSox
The first pitch of the game was thrown out by the boy of the fan who died at the Rangers game earlier this season.
After the boy threw out the first pitch to Josh Hamilton, Josh gave both the boy and his mom a hug. In case you didn't know, during that game Hamilton caught a ball that was the third out of the inning and tossed the ball into the left field stands. Josh threw the ball to a fan who, in an attempt to catch the ball, tumbled over the railing and fell to his death. His son was at the game with him and witnessed the whole thing.
Now, as much as I hate the Rangers, what a classy thing to do by the organization and Josh Hamilton!
It's the statue they put up of the guy that died that I think is a bit strange.
44FAN - September 30, 2011
Definitely .
opiejeanne - September 30, 2011
Game thread today?
opiejeanne - September 30, 2011
make one Opie
44FAN - September 30, 2011
I got it
TheAntiSox - September 30, 2011
Its it a bronzing of him
in mid catch/fall over a railing?
PhiSlamma - September 30, 2011
Too soon?
Too soon.
PhiSlamma - September 30, 2011
not to me, but i'm a real dick
No Bologna Polonia - September 30, 2011
Too late
if he had had that sense of levity, it would have lightened the fall.
Sorry. :(
Caseys Kiss of Death - September 30, 2011
AAHAHAHAHAAHA
not soon enough
Quinlan's Goofy Swing - September 30, 2011
I agree
A little much, I think.
TheAntiSox - September 30, 2011
Yes.
opiejeanne - September 30, 2011
Very cool. If you must win, win it for Shannon, Rangers
Downing Rules - September 30, 2011
Ambivalent about this
Who is this good for?
Good P.R. for the rangers, hamilton, mlb, arlington, and perhaps the fans.
If it was me I may not feel like throwing to the guy who (I may perceive) as contributing to my father’s death.
But he’s only, like, 6 – so he doesn’t really understand what’s going on.
Any money the rangers contribute to the boy and his family is class.
Halo Hurricane - September 30, 2011
I'm sure the kid does understand whats going on
I remember being aware of what death was when I was around his age and I’m sure he realizes that the whole thing was an accident and that Hamilton obviously had no intention of hurting his dad. You also have to think that his family has explained that to him many times as well.
I bet they’ve given the family some money as well.
TheAntiSox - September 30, 2011
I'm pretty sure they got some money or college fund, so that's very cool.
The boy understands what he’s been told, but not old enough to have formed his own opinion on something so profound.
I don’t think he’s being exploited or anything, I just feel sad for him.
It’s cool to throw out the first pitch in a playoff game, but the cost is too steep.
Halo Hurricane - September 30, 2011
So do you suggest he just stays away?
at 6, he HAS to love baseball and his team, the Texas Rangers. As I said below, they are trying to correct the feelings that things he love are not what took his father away. It was just a freak accident. I am sure he will not be able to interpret ALL OF THIS RIGHT NOW, but opening the door for the boy is a start to his LOOOOOOOOONG road to dealing/coping with the tragedy.
Downing Rules - September 30, 2011
At 6 he's going along with whatever he's told to do
And it’s probably super cool.
I think I was trying to ask myself how would I feel as an adult.
I don’t think I would even want to see hamilton’s face. Ever.
I know it’s an accident but I’d probably be bitter anyway.
I just hate touching on the emotion of a child’s death or the death of a young child’s parent – just makes me sad is all.
I’m sure hamilton felt awful, and anything the rangers do for him is ultimately good.
Halo Hurricane - September 30, 2011
Strange upbringing you had...
My son is 6 and if in the same situation, I would listen to him:
“Son, do you want to throw out the first pitch to Josh Hamilton? It’s really OK if you never want to see his face again, but it’s entirely up to you.”
Empower the child to make his/her own decision.
I doubt his mom is saying “BOY, YOU GOTTA THROW OUT THAT FIRST PITCH OR I’M GONNA DRIVE A SHOVEL INTO YOUR FLEA-BITTEN HEAD!!!”
Downing Rules - September 30, 2011
I believe it is for the child...
a cognitive dissociation of baseball/Rangers equalling “daddy’s death.” This is great therapy for the child, imho. For that reason, I am 100% behind this move.
Downing Rules - September 30, 2011
That whole arrangement is just damn weird.
I’m sorry. Something about that just doesn’t feel right.
Zoe Necrosis - September 30, 2011
It just seems like too much.
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like it’s gone from handling the aftermath of a tragic event wonderfully to almost milking it for all the PR it’s worth. It’s just too much.
moralesforpresident - October 2, 2011 via mobile
Good for them
Glad they’re giving the kid something to smile about at a time like this.
Now go out there and lose a few more games this series.
Caseys Kiss of Death - September 30, 2011
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