We miss you Nick Adenhart, you will always be an Angel.
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others were killed by a suspected drunk driver April 9th 2009, a shocking end to the life of a rookie who had overcome major elbow surgery to realize his big league dreams.
The accident in neighboring Fullerton occurred hours after the 22-year-old pitcher made his season debut with his father in the stands, throwing six scoreless innings against the Oakland Athletics. The Angels ultimately lost the game, 6-4.
Adenhart’s father, Jim, a retired Secret Service agent, walked onto the field in the empty stadium Thursday and spent several moments alone on the pitcher’s mound. Wearing a red sweatshirt, the Angels’ color, he briefly covered his eyes with one hand.
Nick Adenhart was a passenger in a silver Mitsubishi Eclipse that was broadsided in an intersection about 12:30 a.m. by a minivan that apparently ran a red light, police said.
Seven years ago Saturday, 22-year-old pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed by a drunk driver in a hit-and-run collision.
“It’s something we think about often,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “Now, you move on and you understand a family lost a son. That has a real impact. Nick had an affect on everybody while he was here, and he continues to.”
The Angels named their pitcher of the year award in honor of Adenhart. Jered Weaver, the only member of the current roster who played with Adenhart, named his second son Aden.
“He had an affect on everybody in the short time he was here,” Scioscia said. “That speaks volumes to the type of kid he was and the type of son he was.”
Happy Birthday Nick Adenhart.