Featured reader comments about Rodney Paul Craig

The Times' Paresh Dave wrote last week about Rodney Paul Craig, 56, a homeless man and former professional baseball player who was killed during a fight in downtown Los Angeles. Craig's story struck a chord with readers in two places on Homicide Report: Dave's article and a previous post reporting the news of his death. Readers weighed in on homelessness, its causes and its effects on society.

Here's commenter Mark on Oct. 25:

Hard to say exactly what went wrong with Mr. Craig's life. I didn't have the pleasure to make his acquaintance. At one point he had a life that held great potential.

He had the opportunity to live a life that most American boys can only dream of, even if just for a short time.

I'm very sorry to hear that his life ended under such tragic circumstances. I've been a baseball fan most of my life, and have been a fan of the Mariners since their inception.

May God have mercy on Mr. Craig's troubled soul. Rest In Peace.

And reader Derrick earlier on Oct. 25:

Really sad and touching story regarding the life of this man. Maybe not making it big in the majors as he thought led to his downward spiral to homelessness.

Elsewhere, after some people posted about their negative impressions of people who are homeless, other commenters responded. 

Here's Mrs. Williams on Aug. 23:

because someone is homeless doesnt make them any less human than the next person and if you dont know the individual you probably shouldnt speak up on them there are plenty of people that fall on hard times and arent able to bounce back. who knows what he went thru or what put him in a homeless state. who knows it could be YOU or someone you know close to you. and it doesnt take much to provoke individuals nowadays. EGO can put you in some places you just dont want to be JAIL.

And here's Joyce from Aug. 28:

I'm sorry to hear about the death of Rodney Craig what people have to remember is that just because of there situation they are still people just like the rest of us and I'm sure that if you or anyone in your family were in his place you would not care if that person was homeless or not. Even they are homeless they are still DESERVE THE SAME RESPECT THAT WE ALL DO

Add your voice here: Two men charged in stabbing death of homeless former ballplayer Rodney Paul Craig

— Matt Ballinger

Photo: Rodney Craig, pictured in the Narbonne High School class of 1975 yearbook. Credit: Narbonne High School