Post by admin4laney on Aug 8, 2005 6:38:55 GMT -5
Reds Turn Tragedy Into Treat For Boy
When Grandfather Dies At Game, Players Open Hearts, Clubhouse To Grandson
POSTED: 4:50 pm EDT August 5, 2005
UPDATED: 9:43 am EDT August 7, 2005
CINCINNATI -- A tragic situation at a Reds game this week might have been even worse for a 6-year-old boy, if not for the kindness of players and coaches, News 5's Courtis Fuller reported.
The Reds rallied around the boy after his grandfather, Spencer Brock, of Hamilton, collapsed in his seat and died.
Brock's best friend, Rick Blust, told News 5 that Brock loved fishing, race cars and baseball, but loved nothing more than his grandson, Antonio Perez. It wasn't by coincidence that Brock took his grandson to Great American Ball Park on "Tony Perez Bobblehead Night."
"Everyone has said that, that one day he (Antonio) is going to be the next Tony Perez. His 'popa' got him playing baseball early," Blust said.
Tragedy struck in the seventh inning, Blust said.
"Antonio had said to him, 'Popa, look at the air balloon,' and he looked up to his left and he just laid his head over his shoulder and that was it," Blust said.
While paramedics tried to save Brock, a security officer took Antonio to the Reds' bullpen, where he sat with relief pitchers for the last two innings.
"I think Tommy Hume (Reds bullpen coach) was the first person to get hold of Antonio, and as the players came off the field, they all greeted him and Ken Griffey Jr. took him into the clubhouse and they just showered him with gifts and really diverted his attention away from the situation," Blust said.
Ironically, Fuller reported, Brock had told his grandson to bring a ball and promised he'd get it signed by the Reds.
"The family and his friends thought the Reds deserved a lot of appreciation for what they did. It was really a selfless act of kindness," Blust said.
www.channelcincinnati.com/sports/4816081/detail.html
When Grandfather Dies At Game, Players Open Hearts, Clubhouse To Grandson
POSTED: 4:50 pm EDT August 5, 2005
UPDATED: 9:43 am EDT August 7, 2005
CINCINNATI -- A tragic situation at a Reds game this week might have been even worse for a 6-year-old boy, if not for the kindness of players and coaches, News 5's Courtis Fuller reported.
The Reds rallied around the boy after his grandfather, Spencer Brock, of Hamilton, collapsed in his seat and died.
Brock's best friend, Rick Blust, told News 5 that Brock loved fishing, race cars and baseball, but loved nothing more than his grandson, Antonio Perez. It wasn't by coincidence that Brock took his grandson to Great American Ball Park on "Tony Perez Bobblehead Night."
"Everyone has said that, that one day he (Antonio) is going to be the next Tony Perez. His 'popa' got him playing baseball early," Blust said.
Tragedy struck in the seventh inning, Blust said.
"Antonio had said to him, 'Popa, look at the air balloon,' and he looked up to his left and he just laid his head over his shoulder and that was it," Blust said.
While paramedics tried to save Brock, a security officer took Antonio to the Reds' bullpen, where he sat with relief pitchers for the last two innings.
"I think Tommy Hume (Reds bullpen coach) was the first person to get hold of Antonio, and as the players came off the field, they all greeted him and Ken Griffey Jr. took him into the clubhouse and they just showered him with gifts and really diverted his attention away from the situation," Blust said.
Ironically, Fuller reported, Brock had told his grandson to bring a ball and promised he'd get it signed by the Reds.
"The family and his friends thought the Reds deserved a lot of appreciation for what they did. It was really a selfless act of kindness," Blust said.
www.channelcincinnati.com/sports/4816081/detail.html
