"There will be no lawsuit," Henry said. "Nobody's at fault. Just one of those things that's terrible and sad, but impossible to explain. A father trying to make a good memory for his son."
Whether divine intervention or merely a good father making a bad decision in a moment of overzealous carelessness, Stone's fatal fall will be part of a permanent legacy on display at the home-plate entrance to Rangers Ballpark. Ryan announced last week that the team would erect a life-sized, bronze statue of Shannon and Cooper in the spirit of "Rangers Fans."
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Rangers President Nolan Ryan announced last week the team will erect a statue honoring Shannon Stone, who died in a fall from the stands.
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"I absolutely love it," Suzann said. "What better depicts the essence of baseball than Daddy and his little boy at a game?"
Added Al, "For his whole life Cooper is going to be proud of it."
The statue, however, is polarizing.
Critics predict it won't be viewed as an honor to Stone, but merely a reminder of a tragic accident. They say it will be morbid, walking enthusiastically into a Rangers game only to be jolted by, well, death. Others say, callously, that Stone doesn't warrant being honored via statue for his accident because there are more positive influences in the organization more deserving of being canonized such as former broadcaster Mark Holtz or popular and productive player Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez. Perhaps a missing seat in left field would be more fitting, or maybe a modest plaque in not such a prominent place?
The Rangers' hearts are in the right place, even if the statue might be a tad misplaced.
"First time I see it there I'll break into tears," Henry said. "But eventually it will bring a smile to me and other fans."
Pursuing his love of the game Shannon Stone lost first his sacred souvenir, then his life. It will be years before Cooper finds the meaning of his statue.
These days he simply clings onto something more valuable — the baseball flipped to his dad by his hero.
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