A statue entitled “Rangers Fans” memorializing the outing of a father and son at the ballpark and the tragic death in of Brownwood firefighter Shannon Stone was dedicated on Thursday at the Ballpark in Arlington.
The full size bronze statue of Stone and his son Cooper attending a Rangers game, ball glove in hand and both wearing Rangers jerseys, is located at the home plate gate and will forever represent the love of father and son and their love of the game.
Western artist and sculptor Bruce Greene of Clifton was commissioned to create the statue honoring the memory of Stone, the Brownwood firefighter who passed away from injuries suffered in a tragic accident July 7, 2011 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Rangers CEO and President Nolan Ryan made the announcement in late November of the plans to erect the statue.
At the dedication, Ryan stated that he felt Greene captured in the statue “that interchange between son and father reliving the ballgame coming out of the stadium.” Ryan stated that he couldn’t be happier about how the statue had such feeling and that the Rangers organization wanted to “represent what goes on in this stadium every night with family and capturing the moment.”
Mayor Stephen Haynes was at the unveiling and commented to Brownwood News on what this statue meant to him.
“It was a great honor to be invited to the unveiling,” stated Haynes. “The statue is a fitting tribute to Shannon, Cooper and all Texas Rangers fans.”
Shannon’s parents, Al and SuZann Stone, and Shannon’s brother Chad were present at the dedication with Stone’s widow Jenny and son Cooper, and her parents Jim and Marilyn Pack. Rangers starters and staff also attended the unveiling honoring Stone, along with Brownwood Fire Department Chief Del Albright, 14 Brownwood firefighters, and members of the Arlington Fire Department Honor Guard. Others attending the ceremony were City of Brownwood officials Mayor Haynes, City Manager Bobby Rountree, Councilmen Jerry DeHay and Eddie Watson.
The Texas Rangers’ opening day game will be against the Chicago White Sox in Arlington Friday.
Pictured below are Cooper’s favorite player Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers, Cooper Stone and Buddy Bell, one of Shannon Stone’s favorite players, who is now the Vice President of Player Development and Special Assignments for the White Sox.
Video by and courtesy of NBC-DFW – View More Videos at http://nbcdfw.com.
