The world of baseball lost one of its own today, Nick Adenhart. 
When you hear the story of how this happened and his short major league career, you will get chills. I’m teary-eyed again just writing this blog. That’s a lie, I cried.
Adenhart was a passenger in a car that was broadsided in an intersection at about 12:30 a.m. by a minivan that apparently ran a red light. He was one of four people in the car, three died. The van driver fled the scene. The driver was later caught and identified as Andrew Thomas Gallo. He will be charged with manslaughter, felony driving under the influence and hit-and-run.
Two of the passengers were pronounced dead at the scene. The other two were taken to UC Irvine Medical Center. Adenhart underwent surgery and died at the hospital, but it’s not clear if he died during or after the procedure. The remaining passenger was in critical condition.
Adenhart had just made his season debut pitching for the Angels ( he threw six scoreless innings). His father flew to his game from Maryland to see his start. This was only his fourth major league start. He was selected by the Angels in the 14th round of the 2004 draft. At the time of his death, he was the youngest pitcher on a big league roster.
“He lived his dream and was blessed to be part of an organization comprised of such warm, caring and compassionate people,” Adenhart’s parents said in the Angels statement. “The Angels were his extended family. Thanks to all of Nick’s loyal supporters and fans throughout his career. He will always be in everyone’s hearts forever.”
Adenhart was a member of the 2006 Olympic Qualifying Team that traveled to Cuba and qualified the United States for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He started one game for Team USA, earning a no-decision and striking out six batters in an 8-7 win over Brazil.
“The Angels family has suffered a tremendous loss today,” Tony Reagins, the team’s general manager, said in a written statement. “We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Nick’s family, friends, loved ones and fans.”
Social Media Outreach
The reaction from people around the United States has been overwhelming. Many fans and friends have compiled pictures and videos to commemorate Adenhart. Many people have updated their status on Facebook and Twitter to respect the loss of Adenhart.
On Facebook alone, 25 groups have been created in his memory. Those groups have a total of 4,316 members as of 9:18 p.m. The numbers are still growing. The on-going support shows how much people care, whether they are an Angels fan or not. Rivalries have been put aside. Everyone is an Angel today.
Many videos are surfacing around YouTube and Facebook. Including this moving memorial,
MLB Outreach
The Angels’ game Thursday night with the Oakland A’s was postponed at the direction of Bud Selig, commissioner of Major League Baseball.
“Major League Baseball is in mourning today upon the news of this tragedy that has taken Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others,” Selig said in a statement. “Nick was just 22 years of age, with a wonderful life and career ahead of him. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my sincere sympathy to the families and friends of all three victims and to the entire Angels’ organization. I send my deepest condolences to Nick’s parents, Jim and Janet. The hearts of everyone in baseball are with them at this most difficult time.”
My PeRspective
In a situation like this you have to ask yourself, “What should we do?” It’s not like your organization is prepared for this.
This is a tragedy, NO ONE prepares themselves for this.
The Angels did hold a press conference today. Was that the right thing to do so quickly during a tragedy? That’s your call.
During the press conference nobody cried but Adenhart’s agent, Scott Boras. Boras is known by many to be a very sly person. There is already a lot of controversy whether his crying was real or not. Watch this video to see what you think.
MLB has already changed Adenhart’s status on their national website. His current status says deceased. To me, that was a little too soon to change.
I think MLB made the correct decision by canceling the Angel’s game for today. All MLB teams around the league held a moment of silence before today’s game to remember Adenhart. That was also the correct decision. With such a tragedy the Angels and MLB handled this situation the only way that could be expected in such a tough time.
* On a personal note: My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and teammates of Nick Adenhart. This is a tough time that is going to take a long time to heal. Anything I’ve ever heard about him has been positive. Everyone also said he loved baseball and was a genuine guy. It’s during tragedies like this that make you think twice next time you get into a car or on the road. I just hope everyone can take something positive away from this tragic situation. May Nick be the “angel” sitting on his teammates shoulders for this season and seasons to come.
I was in shock today when I turned on Espn 2 and it came back from commercial they had the breaking news that Nick had died and I couldn’t believe it. It’s a shame someone so young and talented was taken by some jackass who finds a need to drink and drive. I give MLB and both teams credit for canceling their game. His former Triple A team also canceled their game too. Even the Aeros tonight had a moment of silence. I’m torn about Borras’s crying reaction, you know how much I hate that guy and to me it looked a little exaggerated but I can’t prove that and it’s wrong to think that.I’m sure he’s close to all his athletes who make him his money. I think a lot of people in the states have now become Angels fans for this year, I know I have. My prayers are with his family and friends. R.I.P. Nick