On Opening Day, San Fransisco Giants fan Bryan Stow was beaten in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium. From that beating, he was in a coma for weeks, and is presently in critical condition, heavily sedated to prevent seizures caused by the traumatic brain injury he suffered.
Members of the San Fransisco Giants have stepped up, in a major way, to show their support for Stow and his family. Members of the team have visited him, and Tim Lincecum gave $25,000 to the Bryan Stow Fund, to help cover his medical expenses. But it was one former player who made a surprise, and unreported, visit to Stow that truly touched his family.
On April 22, Barry Bonds went to visit. He stayed for an hour with Bryan, and left behind a signed bat for Stow's children. But he also left something else. Bonds volunteered to pay for the college education of Stow's two children, Tyler, age 12, and Tabitha, age 8.
Bonds has been much maligned over the years. Whether it was due to his standoffish and aloof nature, the steroid allegations, or the recent purgery trial that he went through, people are quick to assume to worst when it comes to Bonds. Yet, when he went and visited Bryan Stow, he did not do so for publicity. He did so because he felt it was the right thing to do. And he, through his actions, is going to provide something much more than any token gesture could - he is going to provide these kids a future.
So rip on Barry all you want. Sometimes, there is more to a person than they let on.
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