Baseball Hall of Famer's son helped rescue victims of Las Vegas shooting
Todd Blyleven, the son of Hall of Fame pitcher Bert Blyleven, was in attendance Sunday night at the Las Vegas concert where a gunman opened fire, killing 58 people and injuring more than 500. And once he realized he was safe, Blyleven went back into the fray to help others.
Blyleven’s story was covered in a Washington Post article detailing some of the civilians who risked their lives to help those hurt during the shooting. Blyleven explained that, while he doesn’t have a medical background, he felt obligated to help whoever he could.
Blyleven, 45, got his group to safety, he went back into the crowd to assist wounded victims:
“I just felt like I had to,” said Blyleven, who estimated that he may have helped about 30 or 40 people get away from the gunfire. “I would hope that if me, or my family, was in a situation like that, that someone would come in and get me.”
Todd’s father, and current broadcaster for the Minnesota Twins, Bert Blyleven, responded to the story any father would: He was proud.
Doesn’t surprise his pops!!! Always been proud of you son. We love you.
— Bert Blyleven (@BertBlyleven28) October 2, 2017
Todd Blyleven didn’t make the big leagues like his dad, but he was drafted in 1990 by the Los Angeles Angels and in 1991 by the Dodgers. Todd eventually pitched in portions of five seasons in the farm systems of the Angels, Pirates and Brewers.
Blyleven was not the only person with a baseball background to be at the concert, which turned into the site of the deadliest mass shooting in recent American history. The Milwaukee Brewers confirmed minor-league pitcher Bubba Derby was also there. He was not injured during the shooting.
We’ve highlighted Blyleven’s story because he has a connection to sports, and this is a baseball blog. But there were others who did what he did, and showed tremendous courage in the face of a terrible event. Jessica Perez and Mike McGarry were the two other people mentioned in the Washington Post article.
Read and share their stories. And remember the incredible bravery they showed and the lives they saved.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
