Nick Adenhart had struggled with injuries throughout his four previous seasons with the Angels organization, which left questions of him becoming a major league starting pitcher.  Well on Wednesday night, April 8 2009, Adenhart gave everyone in that stadium (roughly 45,000 and many more watching on TV) the answer they were waiting for.  Facing the same team that he had his major league debut against, the Oakland A’s, he went six innings pitched with seven hits, five strikeouts and no runs.  This performance was a sign of many more to come.

If you’re one of those fans who’s season starts in Arizona at spring training, then this would not have been a shocker.  Adenhart earned a spot on the opening roster by having a 3-0 record with a 3.12 ERA, 26 innings pitched with 9 earned runs, over 6 starts with 18 strikeouts and only walking 5 batters.  It’s not a secret that Adenhart was coming into his own as true major league threat on the mound.

After saying goodbye to the minor leagues, as he had earned his spot in the majors, a well earned celebration was in order.  So Adenhart and three of his friends set out to a local dance club, In Cahoots, in Fullerton Ca… But, they never reached their destination.  While heading southbound on Lemon Street, going through the intersection of Lemon Street and Orangethorpe Avenue, the silver Mitsubishi Eclipse that Adenhart was a passenger in, was struck by a Toyota Sienna minivan.  The minivan ran a red light at an estimated speed of 50-60 mph, causing three fatalities and leaving two others hospitalized. Adenhart was one of the fatalities.  The driver of the minivan was the only one that was not injured in the crash, of course, which allowed him to flee the scene on foot, leaving his passenger behind.  To make a horrible story worse this individual had received a DUI in 2006 in San Bernardino County, and in the following year was charged with drug possession.

Why? Why is the question every family member, friend and fan is asking themselves.  Why would that driver have not just learned his lesson the first time he was caught driving drunk?  Why was it necessary to be driving that fast?  Why on God’s green earth would you blatantly feel the need to run a red light?  Why did this have to happen?

This scenario of innocent people dying at the hand of  reckless drunks who have no value for their life or the others around them,  is a broken record that needs to be thrown away!  How many more loved ones have to die due to someone’s lack of judgment?  What is it going to take for people to realize leaving your car behind and getting a ride is worth it?  Why is it so hard to see how easy it is to call a cab?  If you’re one of those people that says you can’t afford to call a cab,  then my friend you don’t have the money to be drinking, and that is a fact.  Who are the people you call your friends that let you leave anywhere like that?

The sad thing is a lot of us have been there and made those decisions. But it’s time to STOP!  No, not because it was a professional athlete that lost his life; there are two other families that are morning and another that’s probably never going to see their son again unless it’s from behind bars. It’s time to stop because its time to care about others.  In this time in history it seems like everyone could care less about their neighbor,  and our country is obviously failing.  As individuals you break easily,  as team you become stronger.  So start caring and start with the person you see in the mirror.  You could be saving lives!

Adenhart was the epitome of Angel’s baseball.  He came up through the farm system and worked hard day in and day out to earn a spot on the team.  Angel’s manager Mike Scioscia said, “He just wasn’t some extreme talent that was blessed, he fought to be here.”

Adenhart’s brief success was a fight to say the least.  In 2004 as a senior at Williamsport High School in Williamsport, Md., Adenhart was projected to be one of the top picks in the major league draft. This was going to make him an instant millionaire.  Two weeks before the draft, he suffered an injury that required reconstructive surgery on his elbow.  Due to the injury he suffered, the Angels picked Adenhart in the 14th round, where signing bonuses are normally in the four figure range.  Adenhart’s plan was to under go Tommy John surgery and attend UNC , and regain his status as a top prospect.  But the Angels knew that there was something special about the kid from Maryland, and had faith that he would have a 100 percent recovery.  So with a signing bonus of  $710,000 Adenhart got to wear his first halo.

The Angel’s are no strangers to freak accidents taking their players; 1965 Dick Wantz at 25 died of a brain tumor, 1968 Minnie Rojas car crash left him paralyzed, 1972 Chico Ruiz died in a car crash, 1974 rookie left hander Bruce Hienbechner died in a car crash, 1977 Mike Miley, 23 year old infielder, died in a car crash, 1978 Lyman Bostock , killed in a drive by shooting, Donnie Moore, suicide; 2009 scouting consultant Preston Gomez couldn’t recover from a car accident, and now Nick Adenhart. 
 
Adenhart was an example that hard work and dedication will overcome, and may his strong work ethics and passion for the game of baseball linger and inspire others for generations to come.  Gone but never forgotten.