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Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others were killed in a three vehicle accident in Anaheim overnight Thursday.  The tragedy comes after he pitched six shutout innings Wednesday night against Oakland.  Adenhart was 22.



Adenhart overcame the odds to make it to the bigs.  The Maryland native drew plenty of attention when he pitched in high school as  Cal Ripken Jr. turned out to see him pitch.  He threw a perfect game during his career at Williamsport high school and was expected to be a first round pick in 2004.  However, he underwent Tommy John elbow surgery and that resulted in him dropping to the 14th round to the Angels where he was the 413th pick overall.  Adenhart was able to start his pro career in 2005 and worked his way up the ladder.  The Angels thought so much of Adenhart that then GM Bill Stoneman refused to trade him to Washington for Alfonso Soriano.  

Adenhart got off to a 4-0 start with AAA Salt Lake before getting called up to the bigs last season when he made his major league debut against Oakland.  He earned his first win in his last start of 2008 against the White Sox May 12th.  However, Adenhart had a rocky time upon being sent back down to Salt Lake but it looked like he was back on track in his first start of 2009.  He entered the season as the Angels top prospect according to Baseball America.

Condolences to all three victims as well as their families and friends.

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The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Gerry - Thursday, April 09 2009 @ 03:26 PM EDT (#198103) #
Shocking, awful, terrible news.  Adenhardt had the highs of making the opening day rotation to this.  I am amazed by the amount of drunk driving that continues seemingly unabated.
rpriske - Thursday, April 09 2009 @ 03:42 PM EDT (#198105) #

Minor point, but something I think is important. Please change that last line to the "and the OTHER two victims".

Right now, for those who don't read the article etc., it sounds like Adenhart was the culprit, and he certainly was not.

Chuck - Thursday, April 09 2009 @ 05:01 PM EDT (#198107) #

Last night I was flipping around the channels because Bell TV has a free preview week for their MLB package. I saw just a little of the A's/Angels game. It was the first time I'd ever even heard of Adenhart, let alone see him pitch. He looked very impressive, though even if he had stunk the joint out and showed no promise at all, that doesn't change how sad it is to see a man so young die, especially so senselessly.

Life is fleeting. I am once again reminded. Sadly, much too soon I'll have once again forgotten.

Thomas - Thursday, April 09 2009 @ 05:10 PM EDT (#198108) #

The more you read about this the more tragic it becomes. Adenhart's dad had flown down to Anaheim from Maryland to watch his son pitch and was in the stands last night. He apparently spent most of the morning just sitting in his son's locker in the Angels clubhouse. The drunk driver had a suspended license from a previous drunk driving conviction. Also, MLB network is reporting that the fourth occupant of the other vehicle has died in hospital.

My condolences to Adenhart's family, friends, teammates and everyone affected by his death, as well as the deaths of the three other inviduals.

Magpie - Thursday, April 09 2009 @ 05:34 PM EDT (#198109) #
Memo to whoever's in charge: we already knew life wasn't fair. Further lessons were not required, thank you very much.

That picture is utterly heartbreaking. Just an eager kid...
westcoast dude - Thursday, April 09 2009 @ 05:52 PM EDT (#198112) #
As the father of a 22 year old son, my heart goes out to the elder Mr. Adenhart. I wish I could give him a bear hug and we could cry together. God Bless You, Sir.
christaylor - Thursday, April 09 2009 @ 06:18 PM EDT (#198113) #
.
Ozzieball - Thursday, April 09 2009 @ 07:59 PM EDT (#198115) #
Van ran a red light and hit the vehicle Adenhart was in. The driver of the van was both drunk and driving with a suspended license. The license had been suspended from a previous DUI.
HaloBrad - Thursday, April 09 2009 @ 09:14 PM EDT (#198117) #

Born an Angel fan 50 years ago to a father who was an Angel fan in the PCL days before that. Grew up in Anaheim in the days of Fregosi and Knoop, Messersmith and Clyde Wright. Many long years of suffering through losing seasons until the year I thought would never come in 2002.

Minnie Rojas. Chico Ruiz. Bruce Heinbechner. Mike Miley. Lyman Bostock. Donnie Moore. Daddy Wags. Nick Adenhart.

If it is merely a game, why does my heart ache.....

Tell everyone you love that you love them. Now.

Mike Green - Thursday, April 09 2009 @ 10:20 PM EDT (#198123) #
Looking at that picture with the eyes of a father of children of similar age to Nick Adenhart, my heart goes out to his parents. 
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