ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others were killed by a suspected drunk driver Thursday, 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.
On the list of things I'm grateful never having to have done, number one with a bullet would have to be burying a child. No parent should ever have to bury a child for any reason, and it doesn't get much sadder than the pain and anguish that Jim Adenhart now finds himself burdened with. Adenhart flew cross-country to see his pitch in the major leagues. Just a few short hours after watching his son pitch six scoreless innings, he was faced with the reality of having to bury his son, who was killed, along with two companions, by a drunk driver.
Nick Adenhart grew up dreaming of pitching in the majors, and he was fortunate enough to achieve his dream. His final appearance in a box score was an impressive one, and he and his family, friends, and teammates had every reason to expect more to come in a career that had stardom written all over it. That Adenhart's dream died when the vehicle he was riding in was t-boned in an intersection seems as cruel as it is sad and pointless. Nick Adenhart was 22 years old. He should have been able to look forward to a long career as a major league pitcher and even longer career as a son, a husband, and a father. Instead, his friends, family, and teammates are struggling to come to grips with his abrupt departure from this life. He and his two companions deserved better than to be murdered by a drunk driver who cared little about the risk he was taking in getting behind the wheel. I'm not an advocate for the death penalty, but if I was, this would be the sort of crime that I would think that state-sanctioned execution would be appropriate for.
Jim Adenhart deserves better. His son's teammates deserve better. The family and loved ones of Adenhart's companions deserved better. No parent should ever have to bury their child. Yes, Nick Adenhart was an adult, but at 22 who wouldn't look at him and not see the innocence and whimsy of a child? Even worse, Adenhart was an only child.
As if we needed another excuse to hug our children....
