McCain honored with standing ovation at Arizona Diamondbacks game

The crowd at Saturday night’s Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game gave Arizona Sen. John McCain (R) a standing ovation following news of the senator’s death.

VIDEO: Diamondbacks honor Sen. John McCain with in-game tribute pic.twitter.com/lIQuSmkQSq

— azcentral (@azcentral) August 26, 2018

The Arizona sports team paused before the fifth inning of the game against the Seattle Mariners to honor McCain  — a notable Diamondbacks supporter — on the Jumbotron, AZ Central reported.

“John McCain has always been a member of the D-backs’ family and was one of this team’s biggest fans since day one,” said Diamondbacks President and CEO Derrick Hall.

{mosads}

“He was in attendance at the expansion draft, the World Series and countless other games, remaining a fan through thick and thin. I am honored to consider him a friend and we will miss seeing his smiling face in the stands and our heartfelt thoughts go out to his entire family,” Hall continued.

Goodbye to an American hero, one we were lucky enough to call a loyal fan.

Rest in peace, Senator John McCain. Our thoughts are with your family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/KIMZS1w7Pq

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 26, 2018

The crowd also paused for a moment of silence after the news broke of McCain’s death.

“Senator McCain was not only a great man and patriot, but a great D-backs fan and I am proud to consider him a dear friend,” 2001 World Series player Luis Gonzalez told the newspaper.

“We always knew we could count on him to root us on – from the ballpark, from his home and from all the way across the country. On behalf of my entire family, our thoughts and prayers are with Cindy and his family and we are very grateful for all that he did on behalf of his country,” he continued.

Other Arizona sports teamed honored their state’s senator.

Statement from team president Michael Bidwill on the passing of Senator John McCain. pic.twitter.com/Zh72H58fNw

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 26, 2018

You’ll be missed, Senator McCain. pic.twitter.com/2qMYmFciJm

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) August 26, 2018

Rest in peace, Senator McCain. pic.twitter.com/VocsgjrlBo

— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) August 26, 2018

We’ll never forget your loyalty to our team, our state, and our country. Thank you, Senator. pic.twitter.com/MOXrDMjNYQ

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) August 26, 2018

The giant of the Senate and Vietnam War veteran died one day after his family announced that McCain would be discontinuing medical treatment for brain cancer, stating that the “progress of disease and the inexorable advance of age” had rendered “their verdict.”

McCain was diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma in July 2017.

He survived years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam before becoming a leading actor on the political stage for decades.