I weep for Nick Adenhart

It’s not often that I’ve been moved to crying tears of sadness when a sports athlete passes on. I cried when Donnie Moore shot himself, only because it was so tragic and that he never recovered from his blown save. I cried when it was announced that Magic Johnson had HIV and it was not known then that you could still live with that horrible disease. I thought we, the sports world, would be losing one of it’s greatest. But those guys… those guys are where they are due to their own decisions. Nick Adenhart, all of 22 years old, fresh off of his best start of his promising Major League career, did not choose to die. He did not choose to have his life taken from him. This morning, when I read about Nick’s death, I wept. As I read each acidic word about Nick Adenhart, my eyes filled with tears and eventually, overran my lashes. My throat rose to the back of my mouth. I walked away from my computer to my couch and wept. I was in utter shock. Nick Adenhart, Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher, #34, dead at age 22.

Nick Adenhart was a kid you could believe in. He was a sure fire top draft pick coming out of school, only to be sidelined with Tommy John surgery. The Angels took a risk and drafted him in the 14th round. He came through with flying colors and became the Angels top prospect. He was going to be the Angels next big starting pitcher. Along the way last season, he was brought up to the Majors and in his 1st appearance in the Majors, he failed. He was rocked for 9 hits and 4 runs in less than 6 innings. Perhaps, too much, too soon. He made a few more appearances in the majors before being sent back down to Triple A. His confidence seemingly sent spiraling downward, he struggled in Triple A too. Fastforward to this spring, Nick pitched outstanding in Spring Training, desperately trying to prove that he was still a top prospect. He won a spot in the Angels rotation and was slated to start April 8th versus division rivals, the Oakland A’s. Nick came out and responded well to the bright lights of the Major League baseball world, throwing 6 shutout innings. He had arrived. He was a Major League pitcher. I, like many Angels fans, were excited to see what was next for this kid. None of us saw this tragic turn of events happening.

My prayers, thoughts and tears go out to Nick Adenhart’s family, friends,  and the entire Angels organization including fans. Nick Adenhart, you deserved better and may you get better in the afterlife. As a fan, I wept for your future. Today, I weep for you.