Nick Adenhart, Angels P - Dead at 22

In tragic news, 22 year-old Angels starting pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in a three-car hit and run accident last night. The official announcement from the Angels is here. Adenhart had just pitched six innings of scoreless baseball and left the game with a 3 run lead (which the Halos blew and lost 6-4). It was his first start of 2009, and the first time he had made the opening day roster in his 5 year major league career. Adenhart had to have "Tommy John Surgery" while still in high-school to repair his arm, and while he was a bit slow to start his career, had a ton of upside potential. He consistently pitched out of jams last night, and gave the Halos an opportunity to win their second of the season.

I'll not go into the details of the accident, it's not important at the moment. I'll merely repost what I posted on Halos Heaven

So Sad - Young Life Gone - Makes you Think

I’m really torn up about this, I love the Halos, been watching them since I was in utero, and I was extremely excited about Adenhart this season. Thrilled to find that he was in the starting rotation, and I felt that he had a lot of potential for a great career. Now he’s gone and there’s not only a huge hole in the rotation, but a huge hole in the hearts of his teammates and his fans.

I think it’s fantastic to see the outpouring of emotion and support from all the fans of other teams, that’s phenomenal. Baseball fans seem to be a dying breed unfortunately, but a tragedy like this really shows the character of baseball and the grand game’s fans.

Whenever someone very young dies those of us who are older need to stop and think about our lives and the BS minutia [sp] that makes us stressed out and depressed, and just get over it, because life is too short and can be taken away at any moment.

We MUST not forget about Nick and his family throughout the years, yes he wasn’t a major leaguer for very long, but he was an Angel through and through, and he will be missed, desperately.

RIP Nick. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, as well as the other two innocents who were plucked away from us last night. It shouldn’t have happened.

I can think of no better way for the Halos to honor Nick than winning the Series in his memory, and now we all have a rallying cry to bind us together. Not that we wanted it this way. EVER.

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Nick Adenhart - 8-24-86 - 4-9-09