APRIL 20, 1999 - LITTLETON, COLO.
Game helps, but hearts with victims
SAN FRANCISCO — The Colorado Rockies played in the city by the bay Thursday, but in a twist to the song, their hearts remained in Colorado.
The Rockies were glad to finally play baseball, but were mindful of the melancholy situation back home.
"We're not running away from our problems," said relief pitcher Jerry Dipoto. "We're out on the road, but we don't want to turn our back on what's going on. Our hearts and our minds are still there. Emotionally, we are still attached to what's going on there. We came out here to do our job."
Obviously, the multiple murders at Columbine High School in Littleton Tuesday still weigh on the minds of the Rockies, who are physically more than 1,000 miles away.
"I was concerned about my team," manager Jim Leyland said. "Guys have been down in the dumps a little bit. The mood of the team was very much a concern."
From a baseball standpoint, the Rockies ripped the Giants from the first inning for an 8-5 win at 3Com Park.
Inwardly, Rockies left fielder Dante Bichette said, the team was not eager to play.
"The guys are still a little bit numb by it," he said. "It will be a while. We're professionals. We can do it. We proved it today we can go out and play. We have to continue to do that. But it is still a numbing situation."
Normally, a winning clubhouse on the road is a happy and relaxed place. This Rockies post-game clubhouse was as somber and reflective as any in the club's seven-year existence.
"It's great to score five runs in the first inning and get a win on the road against a real good team," said Dipoto, who makes his home in Littleton. "Emotionally, we're still in Colorado, trying to keep our thoughts and prayers with the people who need it most."
Some players, like starting pitcher Brian Bohanon, conscious of what has taken place in their backyard this week, also think it is time to allow some healing to take place.
"It's nice to be playing," Bohanon said. "It is still in the back of our minds what's going on back home. It may be good for us to get away from there so we can get back into that frame of mind.
"I live in Littleton. I've got five kids. So I know what it's like. For those parents, it's a tragedy. Eventually, you have to move on. My heart goes out to all the family members there who lost loved ones."
The players do not need the reminders. National newspapers like USA Today carry pages of coverage of the shootings. The San Francisco-based papers made it the lead story on the front page.
"I still read about it in the newspapers," said reliever Dave Veres. "It was the lead story on TV last night. It is still kind of disturbing to me."
And the Rockies wear a "CHS" patch on their right sleeve.
"I hold my baseball school on the baseball fields at Columbine High," Bichette said. "I worked with their high school baseball team before. It kind of hits home. We have to pray for them and learn from it."
April 23, 1999
|
BACKGROUND
Full index of the shooting Reconstruction of the shooting Timeline Location the school Floorplan Weapons used
|
|
AUDIO
'Friend of Mine' Listen to the Columbine Memorial song sung by Columbine students Jonathan and Stephen Cohen.
911 tapes
Interview with Arun Ghandi |
|
PHOTOS
A Daily Camera photo essay detailed the tragedy of April 20 and the recovery and remembrance in the following weeks: photo essay
|
|
INTERACT
In light of the shooting on April 20, should the state legislature allow people to carry concealed weapons? vote here
With the recent rise in school violence, do you feel schools are still safe? vote here
|
|
THE INVESTIGATION
Gunmen paid for weapons, teenager claims CHS investigators focus on computers Investigators try to disprove third CHS shooter Man charged with selling handgun to child FBI investigator's son linked to case Agents creating models of Columbine Teen targeted by sheriff denies involvement in school attack Arrest in Columbine shooting Killer reportedly took Luvox antidepressant Officials no closer to arresting suspects Detectives question shooter's girlfriend Security videotapes at school may show whether gunmen had help Bombs found in cafeteria Portraits of the killers Killer's diary describes plot of hate |
|
SCHOOL VIOLENCE
Violence in Georgia School violence stuns nation Teen wounds six fellow students Teens charged in alleged school attack plot Michigan teenagers charged in plot Other school shootings 1927 school bombing killed nearly 40 children Suspensions, arrests across country La. school site of another shooting Facts: Death in schools 'Blood in the School Yard', from the Cincinnati Post full series |
|
REACTION
High schools' 'cult of the athlete' under scrutiny Parents of Columbine shooters sued Suit planned against parents of Columbine High shooters Columbine spurs interest in home schools Columbine healing fund raises $2.3 million Safe Night aims to curb youth violence CU frat shows support for Columbine 'Healing bear' arrives to help in Littleton Doctors: Guilt a normal reaction for survivors School security business surges Media the message? Broomfield couple campaigns to 'Erase the Hate' Clint Talbott - BVSD rejects dress code What now? Video of Clinton's Wednesday morning speech Video of Clinton's Tuesday speech
|
|
GUNS AND LAW
GOP tinkers further with gun legislation Columbine dad lobbies Washington Group forms to back gun control Poll says two-thirds in U.S. support tougher restrictions on guns Senate passes more gun controls Columbine killers also wounded the NRA Senate rejects any new restrictions on gun-show sales Dems want special session Gun control strife House won't debate gun bill New gun laws on table Leaders scrap gun bills Guns and legislatures |
|
HOW TO HELP
- The Denver Rocky Mountain News has established a drive to raise money for a memorial to the victims of the Columbine High School tragedy. Contributions may be mailed to the Columbine Memorial Fund, c/o The Jefferson Foundation, 809 Quail St., Building 1, Lakewood, CO 80215.
|