Advertisement

Washington Nationals, minor league teams honor Virginia shooting victims

(USA TODAY Sports)
(USA TODAY Sports)

On Wednesday, television reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward were killed while filming a live segment for WDBJ-TV in Roanoke, Va.

Vicki Gardner, an executive director for a local Chamber of Commerce, was also injured in the horrific and senseless attack. She's reportedly in stable condition after having emergency surgery.

The news of the shooting sent shock waves all throughout the country, but it obviously hit home the hardest in and around Virginia. The grief extended all the way to Washington D.C., where the home standing Washington Nationals held a moment of silence before their game against the San Diego Padres.

It's reported that Ward, 27, was a huge Washington Nationals fans. The fact they took a moment to honor him is a wonderful gesture that we're sure will bring some solace to his family and friends as they move forward and heal.

But it wasn't just the Nationals who stepped up on Wednesday. At least two Virigina minor league teams did as well, beginning with the Salem Red Sox, the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.

A beautiful and bright gesture.

The Richmond Squirrels — Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants — honored the victims as well with a moment of silence.

In moments like these, there's not a lot we can genuinely offer other than kindness and comfort. It's an offer worth making, too, because even simple gestures that cost us nothing can give those grieving a reason to smile.

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

- - - - - - -

Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!