It was five-seconds that have been played out an infinite number of times throughout the history of baseball, but never with such tragic consequences.
Josh Hamilton ‘Distraught’ After Texas Rangers Fan Falls From Stands
During a break in Thursday's Rangers-Athletics matchup, outfielder Josh Hamilton tossed a baseball towards an exuberant fan's outstretched arms. In an attempt to catch the ball the young Rangers fan, with his son by his side, leaned a little too far forward, lost his balance and fell approximately 20 feet from the left-field stands to the concrete level below him. The man would leave on a stretcher, and be pronounced dead three hours later.
Josh Hamilton did not hear of the news until well after the game. Texas Rangers owner Nolan Ryan issued this statement.
“I think as any of us would be, Josh is very distraught over this as the entire team is,” Ryan said. Ryan added that the Rangers are “very heavy-hearted about this.”
Rangers manager Ron Washington added: “Josh is fine -- outwards he’s fine. I guess he’s got to deal with it in his own way.”
Without question, this a tragedy beyond measure. SB Nation’s thoughts go out to all parties involved in this unfortunate accident.
Stay with this StoryStream for more on Thursday night’s tragedy. Visit SB Nation’s Lonestar Ball for more on the Rangers.
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