Texas Rangers Pay Tribute To Fan Who Fell To His Death At Stadium

The 39-year-old from Brownwood, Texas died after reaching to catch a ball tossed into the crowd by American league MVP Josh Hamilton.

But Stone lost his balance and fell over a railing to the concrete floor during the Rangers-A's game.

Although Stone was initially conscious after his fall, he "went into full arrest" during the ambulance ride to the hospital, according to  Arlington Fire Department authorites. He died at a Fort Worth hospital less than an hour later.

Stone had been a firefighter for 18 years, local officials said, and leaves behind a wife and son.

Texas Ranger officials would not confirm if they have been in contact with the man's family. However, the team's president Nolan Ryan said Hamilton was "very distraught" over the incident.

Hamilton, who is a former crack cocaine addict, wrote in ESPN magazine four years ago that he “prayed to be spared another day of guilt and depression and addiction” while battling his demons.