Washington Nationals, minor league teams honor Virginia shooting victims
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.
Another Moment of Silence at @Nationals Park. All so very sad pic.twitter.com/WP3HbpJIUP
— Mark Strattner (@nats10mil) August 26, 2015
Great gesture by the @Nationals honoring the two #WDBJ shooting victims. pic.twitter.com/Mnn1NYs6Db
— Joey (@Hoey1) August 26, 2015
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.
I'm seeing that Adam Ward, the Virginia photographer killed today, was a huge @Nationals fans. Moment of silence pls. pic.twitter.com/SWbsMf1zG6
— The Birds On The Bat (@BirdsOnTheBat13) August 26, 2015
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.
We are proud that @WDBJ7 is a member of the Red Sox family. We send our thoughts and best wishes moving forward. pic.twitter.com/8Uo86c95Cm
— Salem Red Sox (@salemredsox) August 26, 2015
Bobby putting the finishing touches on the @WDBJ7 ribbon for tonight's game @salemredsox #WDBJ7 pic.twitter.com/0gUsdJaOaB
— Allen Lawrence (@allenwlawrence) August 26, 2015
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.
@GoSquirrels with a moment of silence in honor of victims in @WDBJ7 shooting. #WeStandWithWDBJ pic.twitter.com/UH3ORPda3R
— Lane Casadonte (@LaneCBS6) August 26, 2015
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.
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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! Follow @Townie813