On a stage similar to the one he used to take during his minor
league days with the Port Charlotte (Fla.) Rangers, the late Travis
Law was honored Friday night before the San Jose Giants took on the
Bakersfield Blaze.
By Brian Babcock
San Jose – On a stage similar to the one he used to take during his minor league days with the Port Charlotte (Fla.) Rangers, the late Travis Law was honored Friday night before the San Jose Giants took on the Bakersfield Blaze.
In front of a near-capacity crowd at San Jose Municipal Stadium, Law’s widow Lisa, thanked the fans who came out to participate in the “Park Packer” fundraiser, which raised $27,250 from the Intero Foundation to benefit her and her sons, who have had to deal with unexpected financial trouble since 39-year-old Travis died suddenly in June.
“The boys and I are genuinely touched by love for our husband and father,” Lisa said, with her and Travis’ three boys and Travis’ oldest son Matthew Tartt, 22 standing with her in the infield. All of them wore white Rangers jerseys with Travis’ No. 4 on the back.
“He was the best husband you could have asked for and he was my best friend.”
Since Travis’ death, Lisa Law and her family have had to deal with the grief of the unexpected loss. Additionally have come financial troubles.
As a result, Lisa, a realtor with Intero, has been forced to sell her and her husband’s dream home in Gilroy.
But the money raised by the event will help ease some of that stress.
“I’m really thankful for the support of the community of Gilroy,” Lisa Law said. “It’s been just phenomenal.”
Lisa Law’s co-workers at Intero, Bobby Reichert, Will Klopp and Chase Locsin, came up with the idea to hold a “Place Packer” for the family. Reichert estimated around 4,000 tickets were sold for the game – with most of those bought by South Valley residents.
Among the groups that showed support by buying blocks of tickets for the event were the San Jose S.W.A.T. team, Air Electric, the Gilroy Police Department and councilmen Dave and John Cortese.
Tartt, who will follow in his father’s footsteps and play baseball for San Jose City College next year, was happy to be a part of the memorial.
“I think it’s a good thing for the kids,” said Tartt, who plays in the outfield like his father did.
The three youngest sons got a chance to live out some baseball dreams of their own, having baseballs signed by the Giants players and getting to hang out on the field during pre-game warm-ups. Dayton even got to throw out the first pitch.
“He’s been telling people, ‘Are you coming to my game today?'” Lisa Law said, referring to her son’s excitement to throw the pitch.
“Am I famous now?” he asked as he came off the field to applause.
A large group of parents from Luigi Aprea Elementary School, where the three boys go to school, also showed up to support the family. Lisa Law said they’ve been around since Day 1.
“They’re still bringing me meals,” Law said. “Everyday, something new happens that moves me.”
Contact Ana Patejdl at [email protected].
