- What started as a father-daughter dance turned into quite the scene at this girl's quinceañera
- Judge Joe Brown turns himself in to serve jail sentence
- Picture of refugee father, daughter selling pens gets worldwide attention
- Get $25 in cash or $50 in Starkist tuna as part of settlement
- Okla. day care investigated, accused of drugging children
During the seventh inning of Saturday's game at Turner Field, 60-year-old Braves fan Gregory Murrey fell from the upper deck. He was later pronounced dead at Grady Memorial Hospital.
On Sunday, Braves players, broadcasters and executives — many of whose family and friends were seated in close proximity to the incident — offered their reactions.
Braves radio broadcaster Jim Powell: "It was the worst moment in my 20 years of broadcasting major league games. I had no interest in continuing."
Braves second baseman Jace Peterson, whose girlfriend was seated near where Murrey fell:
“It was within 10 feet of her. Everybody’s family who was here definitely experienced some part of it. It’s not good for anyone to see something like that. It’s a tragic thing. No kid or no woman, no one deserves to see something like that. It’s just unfortunate.”
So she saw it?
“Yeah, she saw it. Right when it happened, people were saying that someone had a gun, so she went down in the family room. But she was right there. She saw it. I know there were quite a few players in here whose families were right there within a few feet away. I heard some pretty graphic stuff. I mean, it’s not something that I really want to get into. It’s just unfortunate.”
On what he saw from his position in the field:
“When A-Rod (Yankees pinch-hitter Alex Rodriguez) got announced, I happened to look at A-Rod, and then I looked back up (toward home plate) and I saw the whole cable shaking. I wasn’t sure what happened. My prayers and thoughts go out to the family. When something like that happens, it’s definitely a tragic thing. To be honest with you I was surprised we finished the game. I thought we’d at least pause it for a little bit.
“But I wasn’t sure what had happened. I had to put two and two together, and then guys started talking and saying what happened, and we came in after the game and got the news.
“We found out right when we came in here (to the clubhouse after the game). We heard that he was in critical condition and been rushed to the hospital, and then I listened to the news on the way home, and that’s when I heard that he had actually passed away. Once again, words can’t really describe it. It’s a terrible thing. You just have to keep the family in your thoughts.”
Braves pitcher Matt Marksberry, who was on the mound at the time of incident:
“I thought it was from the foul ball that (Yankee Jacoby Ellsbury) bunted off me. I thought that’s what it was, that somebody got hit in the head. I was pitching and A-Rod came up and I just saw the stretchers out there and all the medical crews, but I didn’t know what happened until I came in (to the dugout after the inning) and one of the Fox Sports guys said, ‘Yeah, some guy fell off the balcony when you were pitching.’ I was like, ‘What?’ It was unreal.”
“I was focused on doing my job. Then I saw that. It’s sad and heartbreaking that that happened. It’s crazy.”
“I remember hearing the crowd go ‘Whoa,’ but I honestly thought that was because A-Rod was coming up. I didn’t know. I didn’t see it because I was focused (on pitching).”
Braves outfielder Jonny Gomes:
“I’ve played this game a long time, seen a couple of scenarios similar, but … you’re talking about real-life death. The game didn’t even stop.”
“People were not watching the game when this occurred. Foul balls could have started plunking people. They have signs all game long about, stay alert, watch the ball. And then you’ve got 500 people looking the other direction wondering what’s going on.”
Braves president John Scheurholz:
On the differing situations of three deaths by fall at Turner Field in recent years:
“They’re as disparate as they can be. I don’t have any final details or new details on this most recent tragedy. It’s just sad. We’re all dealing with the sadness and the tragedy of it, for the gentleman’s family and anybody who happened to witness it. It’s difficult, and that’s what our focus is right now. I mean, there are people trying to find out the circumstances and all the exact details, how it happened. But our focus is on trying to do everything we can to help the families deal with this as best as possible. Not only the family of the gentleman, but others who witnessed it, experienced it.”
On stadium safety, structural changes or plans for new park:
“That’s not something we’re thinking about now, but something we always think about. It’s something that every major league team thinks about, at all times.”
“We made our plans (for the new ballpark) long before this event occurred. Every facility that’s getting built, there’s a great deal of communication with architects, with engineers, and with the league, abiding by league standards for the industry. So we certainly will do that.”
“We’re making sure that we deal with this tragedy in the appropriate manner first. Not to dismiss the importance of all those (future structural) issues, but there will be another time and another moment to focus on those.”
Are grief counselors being made available for (any players or their families) who witnessed it?
“We have that. And players know that it’s available if needed. Or their families or their friends who were here at the ballpark. I’ve talked to some players specifically about it, who communicated with me. They’re not troubled, but they had friends here, or they had people in the stands, and I made a point to seek them out last night to talk to them.”
About the Author
