I'm sure all of you, like me, were shocked and horrified by the events that occurred in Tucson, Arizona yesterday. I had things I intended to do yesterday, but found myself glued to CNN for hours as the terrible news unfolded. Almost lost in the chaos was the news that a 9 year old girl was among the 6 people who died at the hands of the deranged gunman who attempted to assassinate Gabriella Giffords, United States Congressional Representative of that district in Tucson. Now, news has come out that the little girl was the daughter of John Green, a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the granddaughter of Dallas Green, former manager of the Philadelphia Phillies who managed them to a World Series Championship in 1980.
There are a thousand different angles to look at this story from. Again, I am sure you are all as shocked, horrified and downright angry as I am about this incident. I have strong feelings about the political implications of this attack, but I'll leave those to other sites and other threads. If you wish to get into that, there's a couple of threads on the topic over on the Giants Message Board at sfgiants.com.
I want to focus on Christina Green and how this tragedy touches those of us who love the game of baseball and revere the people who play it, coach it and scout it at such a high level. By all accounts, Christina was not unlike thousands of other schoolgirls her age, but she was also special in her own way. She was born on September 11, 2001 and was later featured in an article about children born on that day. She was apparently a good student and was interested in in life. She expressed interest in being either a veterinarian or a politician. She had just been elected to her school council. Apparently a neighbor who was interested in politics noticed Christina's interest and suggested she go to the town hall meeting yesterday to meet congresswoman Giffords. How could anyone know the terrible outcome of that fateful suggestion?
We sometimes forget that the people who work in baseball are human too. They have families, hopes, dreams as well as tragedy and heartache. They have children and grandchildren who attend school, grow up and find their own place in the world. I cannot even begin to imagine the grief that has befallen Christina Green's family. To John Green, Dallas Green and their extended family I just want to say thank you for your contribution to the game I have come to love. May you somehow find comfort in the memory of Christina's short, beautiful life. It sounds like she accomplished more in her short time than many do in a full lifetime.
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My condolences to the families of the victums of this senseless tragedy. Yes, the people who work in baseball have families, hopes, dreams,as well as heartache like all of us.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Sometimes we need to focus on the people to really comprehend the numbers. Miss Green's sad brief story reminds us that all the victims "are human too".
ReplyDeleteMy complete regrets to the family.
ReplyDeleteIt bothers me that politicians have seemed to put more "empotence" in their lack of government. They are worried about guarding their butts, but hell with the rest of us.