Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Cooper Stone, the son of Brownwood firefighter Shannon Stone — who died from injuries sustained in a fall July 7 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington — will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for Friday’s Game 1 of the ALDS.
Six-year-old Cooper was at the ballpark with his father that night when Shannon Stone reached over the left-field rail to catch a foul ball thrown to him by outfielder Josh Hamilton. Stone fell approximately 20 feet and died later that night.
Hamilton will catch Cooper’s pitch. Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan said Hamilton is Stone’s favorite player and that he checked with Hamilton, who said he’d like to do it.
“We felt it was very appropriate to have him come out,” Ryan said. “He represents what we believe we’re about. He is a very died-in-the-wool Ranger fan. We’re honored that they were willing to come out and share the day with us.”
Ryan said he’s remained in contact with Stone’s widow, Jenny, and talked to her again right before the season ended. They talked about Cooper coming out near the end of the season and settled on this postseason game. This is his first time back at the ballpark since July 7.
“She had indicated to me earlier in the summer that Cooper was wanting to come out to a game, but she wasn’t ready to deal with it,” Ryan said. “But she told me she felt like before the season was over, she would bring him back because she felt like that was in his best interest and that’s what he wanted to do.”
Ryan called and asked if they wanted to come out for the last homestand or if he would want to throw out a pitch. He said they felt this was appropriate.
After the tragedy, the Rangers announced safety changes that included raising the railings throughout the ballpark. They plan on raising them to 42 inches in the front rows, an increase of as much as 12 inches in certain areas. The club is still working on a design with some engineering firms and plans on having the new rails installed this offseason.
The club also is planning to erect a statue of Shannon and Cooper Stone at the ballpark.
“I think we want to have a memorial for Shannon Stone and I want the fans when they come in to see it and remember Shannon and Cooper and the fact that they represent what I think we’re about and that’s making memories for our fans and family,” Ryan said on Aug. 10 when the announcement was made.
Richard Durrett covers the Rangers for ESPNDallas.com
Follow Richard Durrett on Twitter:Â @espn_durrett
