Former pitcher Dallas Green's grandchild killed in Ariz shooting

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The 9-year-old girl killed by a gunman who opened fire at an Arizona congresswoman's event was the granddaughter of former major league manager, executive and pitcher Dallas Green.

Green managed the Philadelphia Phillies to their first World Series championship in 1980. He currently is an executive adviser with the team.

Christina-Taylor Green was shot Saturday outside a Tucson grocery story when she went to see Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was meeting with constituents. Giffords was among 13 people wounded in the shooting that killed six people, including Arizona's chief federal judge and an aide for the Democratic lawmaker.

The young girl had a brother named Dallas. Their father works in the scouting department for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"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."

Her father, John Green, 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," Dodgers owner Frank 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 said. "I spoke with John earlier today and expressed condolences on behalf of the entire Dodgers organization."

Dallas Green, now 76, was a tough guy throughout his career, known for a gruff and direct manner. He made his big league debut in 1960 with the Phillies and went 20-22 during eight seasons.

He had more success in the front office. He took over the Phillies during the 1979 season and managed the longtime losers to the 1980 championship. Green guided the Phillies into the 1981 playoffs and later became general manager of the Chicago Cubs, helping build a team that came within one game of reaching the 1984 World Series.

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.

An uncle of the girl told the Arizona Republic that a neighbor was going to the event and invited her along because she had just been elected to the student council and was interested in government.

"The loss of anyone in this way, but particularly the loss of a child, simply cannot be excused, minimized or explained; just condemned," said Donald Fehr, former executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association and current director of the NHL Players' Association. "All Americans need to think about what may have caused this crime, and made it possible."