Missions game honors SAFD heroes who fought West Side 4-alarm fire

Fundraise held to help Brad Phipps' family

SAN ANTONIO

The San Antonio Missions game on Sunday was about more than just baseball. The team honored local firefighters who worked to put out a massive four-alarm fire at strip mall on the West Side, which claimed the life of Scott Deem and left two firefighters injured.

Firefighter Brad Phipps is still in the hospital. His oldest son, 15-year-old Jack, threw the pitch to kick off the game. His other son, 11-year-old Austin, was named an honorary batboy.

“Have a day of baseball, there’s a concert here and just have fun and take their mind off things for awhile, that’s what we are trying to provide here. I’m happy that the Missions, we stepped up and wanted to be as big of a help as we could,” said Rich Weimert, public relations director for the Missions.

“It’s well needed. Everybody needs to take a step away once in a while. It’s been a real tough week,” said Capt. Javier Patlan, with the San Antonio Fire Department.

Patlan said the show of support from the community has been overwhelming.

“Know that despite what happened this past week, if you call us, we are going to be there. No matter what. We know what the job is. We love doing our job. Scottie, Brad and Robbie (Vasquez), if they were able to, they'd be doing their job also,” Patlan said.

After the first inning, the entire stadium rose to their feet to give the local heroes a standing ovation.

“There’s so many times they're putting their life on the line for us. Without them, we have nothing. For us, we want to wish the best to all the people involved and a speedy recovery for everybody,” Weimert said.

“We have lots of support ... It makes the days go by a little bit easier, and that’s what we are trying to do — make it through to the next day,” Patlan said.

The game also helped raise money for Brad Phipps’ recovery. The nonprofit organization Missions Care held a raffle in which 50 percent of the proceeds will go to the Phipps family.

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