Carlos Rivera, 50, a Chicago high school baseball umpire was shot and killed last Sunday. He heard a disturbance from an upstairs neighbor, according to police, and when he stepped into the hallway was shot in the face and body. He was rushed to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he died.
“I know God has a plan, but it’s just so hard to believe this was part it,” his brother Angel Rosario wrote on Carlos’ funeral page. “I pray that God has a special game for him to ump in heaven, and that is why he was called up so soon.”
By all accounts Carlos Rivera was a big-time baseball fan. He was a registered umpire at the Illinois High School Association and also umpired for local teams in the city.
He also umpired at the Juarez League. The Benito Juárez Men’s Baseball League wrote on Facebook:
“Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Carlos Rivera. It was with a heavy heart that we heard of the sad news that Carlos passed away. Carlos spent a-lot of time Umpiring here at the Juarez League over many years. He was loved by many players and his love for the game of baseball will always be cherished and never forgotten. Rest Easy Carlos.”
According to his Facebook profile Rivera studied at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and went to Carl Schurz High School.
His son posted a pic of his father attending his partner’s baby shower, saying the umpire and baseball fan was excited to meet his future grandchild.
Some of Rivera’s colleagues paid respects to a man they described as hard working who loved the game.
“When I say a hard working man, I mean a hard working man,” colleague Max Rundberg wrote on Twitter. “He would work his early morning job and finish his day in the early afternoon and go straight to umpire a baseball game afterwards. He’d do around 300 games in a spring/summer and fall. We’ll definitely miss you, Los.”
“A wonderful man that gave so much to the game. I had the privilege to catch many games while he was behind the plate and I’ll always cherish the conversations we had,” said another. “An upbeat person with a great heart. Condolences to his family.”
No arrests have been made.
A GoFundMe has been set up ‘In Honor of the Life and Legacy of Carlos Rivera’.
“Carlos Rivera, 50, was violently assassinated and taken from his family, who loved and depended on him. His wife and son have endured tragedy after tragedy within the past two years. As their neighbors, family, and friends, we can’t stand to see them suffer anymore. We ask everyone to dig deep into their pockets on this one and give anything possible. Carlos’ family needs to know that we stand behind warriors of peace like Carlos and won’t allow these senseless acts of violence to go unpunished. The community lost its top protector. Carlos truly made everyone feel safe and important. He would give his last dollar to help even those who may not deserve it. He was that kind of guy. We hope that you can find it within your heart to give something. Everything adds up and will help a devastated widow and her son somehow begin the rest of their lives without their beloved husband and father.”
According to Gun Violence Archive, 36,894 people have died in 2022 as a result of gun violence. Another 32,828 have been injured.
Crime in Chicago is an often talked about issue. But year over year crime is down slightly.
Murders are down 17 percent over the same time period in 2022 vs. 2021, and shooting incidents are down 21 percent. However, overall crime is up 39 percent.
