Dodgers Crosschecker Loses Daughter In Ariz. Tragedy

LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is expressing condolences about the girl killed by a gunman who opened fire at an Arizona congresswoman's event.

Christina-Taylor Green is the granddaughter of former Philadelphia Phillies manager Dallas Green and the daughter of Dodgers National Crosschecker, John Green.

The 9-year-old girl was shot Saturday outside a Tucson grocery story when she went to see Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was meeting with constituents.

"She was a good speaker," her father told Arizona Daily Star in Tucson. "I could easily have seen her as a politician."

Her father, who previously worked as a scout for the team, was recently promoted by the Dodgers to the position of a national crosschecker, overseeing amateur prospects.

"We lost a member of the Dodgers family today," McCourt said.

"The entire Dodgers organization is mourning the death of John's daughter Christina, and will do everything we can to support John, his wife, Roxana, and their son, Dallas, in the aftermath of this senseless tragedy," he added. "I spoke with John earlier today and expressed condolences on behalf of the entire Dodgers organization."

The girl, who was born on Sept. 11, 2001, was featured in a book called "Faces of Hope" that chronicled one baby from each state born on the day terrorists killed nearly 3,000 people.

Her grandfather, 76-year-old Dallas Green, made his big league debut in 1960 with the Phillies and went 20-22 during eight seasons.

"The Phillies organization expresses our heartfelt condolences to Dallas and Sylvia and the entire Green family on the senseless, tragic loss of Christina's life," team president David Montgomery said in a statement Sunday. "She was a talented young girl with a bright promising future. Her untimely death weighs heavily on our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected by yesterday's horrific shooting."

Green managed the New York Yankees for most of the 1989 season. He took over the New York Mets during the 1993 season and managed them through most of 1996.

"Our thoughts and condolences go out to Dallas, his wife, Sylvia, the entire Green family and everybody impacted by this tragedy," Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon said in a statement.

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