Josh Hamilton 'Very Distraught' Over Death Of Rangers Fan, Team President Nolan Ryan Says

Reigning AL MVP 'Very Distraught' Over Rangers Fan Death

Rangers president Nolan Ryan said that Josh Hamilton was "very distraught" over the death of Shannon Stone, the fan who fell 20 feet to his death at the stadium while reaching for a ball thrown his way by the reigning AL MVP.

"We had a very tragic accident tonight, and one of our fans lost their life reaching over the rail trying to get a ball," Ryan said after the game. "As an organization, and as our team members and our staff, we're very heavy-hearted about this, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family."

In the second inning after Oakland's Conor Jackson hit a foul ball that ricocheted into left field, Hamilton tossed the ball into the stands. Stone, a 39-year-old firefighter watching the game with his young son, tried catching it but fell over the railing.

Ronnie Hargis, a fan sitting next to Stone, said that he tried to grab him and slow him down, but he couldn't.

TIME's Sean Gregory wrote on Friday that Hamilton, who almost lost his career due to his struggles with drugs and alcohol, is now facing yet another difficult challenge.

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