The July 7 death of Shannon Stone at the Ballpark in Arlington continues to impact the Texas Rangers, who moments ago announced that a statue will be commissioned by the ball club to pay homage to the 39-year-old Brownwood firefighter. According to the release from club spokesman John Blake, the "full-size bronze statue" will tentatively be called Rangers Fans and "depict Mr. Stone and his six-year-old son Cooper attending a Rangers game." It will be in place in time for the start of next season and will likely take its place at the home plate entrance to the Ballpark.
"We feel that this statue will be a most fitting tribute," says Rangers CEO and president Nolan Ryan in a statement from the club. "It will not only serve to honor Mr. Stone's memory but also to recognize Rangers fans and baseball fans everywhere. I have discussed the project with Jenny Stone, and she and the Stone family will be involved in the design and creation of the statue."
The Rangers also include this statement from Jenny Stone:
"We continue to be appreciative of Nolan Ryan and the Texas Rangers as we deal with the loss of Shannon. Shannon and Cooper had a special relationship, and we are touched and grateful that it will be memorialized at one of their favorite places. Our hope is that this statue will not be a symbol of our family tragedy but rather a reminder of the importance of a family's love -- love of each other, love of spending time together and love of the game."
