Will Proposed Shannon Stone Statue Serve Its Purpose for Texas Rangers Fans?

The Texas Rangers are still recuperating from the accidental death of Brownwood fire fighter Shannon Stone in July and are now planning to erect a statue outside of the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

On July 7, Stone reached for a ball thrown into the stands by Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, when he fell over the left field wall, falling about 20 feet to the ground below. He then went onto cardiac arrest en route to a nearby hospital and died upon arrival. 

The Rangers organization has taken action since the tragedy by raising select railings across Rangers Ballpark in Arlington by another eight inches—which are now 16 inches higher than required—and donating a large financial contribution to the Shannon Stone Memorial Fund.

Now, ESPNDallas reporter Richard Durrett reports that the Rangers plan to construct a bronzed statue that will feature Stone as well as his 6-year-old son, Cooper, who was a witness to his father's fall.

Rangers CEO and president Nolan Ryan believes that the statue will "not only serve to honor Mr. Stone's memory, but also recognize Rangers fans and baseball fans everywhere."

Stone's wife, Jenny, is on board with the concept.

"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."

Ryan also noted that the statue should be ready for the 2012 season.

A great concern that the statue could raise is if the message of love will be lost among fans.

For the Stone family and the Rangers organization, the meaning of love will persevere. But there is a concern that, for many, the statue would serve as a constant reminder of a senseless loss of life at the Ballpark. 

There is no question that Stone's memory needs should be honored by the Rangers, but is this proposed statue the best method?

Note: This article is in no way an attack on the Rangers honoring Shannon Stone. Its sole purpose is to raise a question about whether or not the statue's purpose will be properly received and remembered.