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Nick Adenhart

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Nick Adenhart
File:NickAdenhart.jpg
Pitcher
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
debut
May 1, 2008, for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Last appearance
April 8, 2009, for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Career statistics
Win-Loss record1-0
Earned run average6.00
Strikeouts9
Teams

Nicholas James Adenhart (August 24, 1986 – April 9, 2009) was an American right-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In four career games, Adenhart pitched 18 innings and posted a win-loss record of 1–0, with nine strikeouts and a 4.14 earned run average (ERA).

A graduate of Williamsport High School, Adenhart was highly touted as a high school prospect until an injury in his final game required Tommy John surgery. He was drafted by the Angels in the 14th round of the Major League Baseball draft, and began playing for their minor league system after the surgery was a success. He spent three full years in the minor leagues before making his major league debut on May 1, 2008. After three total games, Adenhart spent the rest of 2008 in the minor leagues developing his skills, and in 2009 he became a member of the Angels' starting rotation.

Just after pitching his first start of 2009, Adenhart was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. Both the Angels and Salt Lake City Bees suspended their following games. There were many tributes to him over the course of the season, including the Angels' spraying champagne and beer on one of his jerseys after they clinched the American League West division.

Early years

Nicholas James Adenhart was born in Template:City-state, the only son of Janet and Jim Adenhart, a former United States Secret Service officer.[1] His parents divorced and Janet later remarried Duane Gigeous, with whom she had a son named Henry, who is a pitcher and infielder at Harry D. Jacobs High School.[2] Adenhart played Halfway Little League Baseball for Gehr Construction and attended Springfield Middle School in Template:City-state.[3] He pitched for the Hagerstown PONY League for six years, and was a member of the 1999 team that won the Maryland District 1 title.[4]

After graduating from middle school, Adenhart attended Saint Maria Goretti High School in Template:City-state.[3] He played shortstop and outfield, and pitched as well. While attending Saint Maria Goretti, Adenhart was a guard on the basketball team that won the Baltimore Catholic League championship.[5] In 2003, at the age of 16, Adenhart pitched for the Youse's Maryland Orioles, who went on to win the All American Amateur Baseball Association Tournament for that year.[6]

Adenhart transferred to Williamsport High School after his sophomore year, where he gave up basketball to focus solely on baseball, as a pitcher. Scouts began heavily following him when he was named the top junior prospect by Baseball America.[7] In his junior year, he went 6-1 with a 1.04 earned run average during the regular season. As a result, Adenhart was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Maryland.[7] Entering his final high school season, that magazine dubbed Adenhart the No. 1 high school prospect in the country.[5] In Adenhart's senior year, he threw a perfect game in his very first outing, striking out 15 of the 21 batters faced.[5] Entering the final regular season game of Adenhart's high school career, he had a 5-1 record, a 0.73 ERA and an average of 2.2 strikeouts per inning. Adenhart signed a letter of intent to play baseball for the University of North Carolina in November of his senior year, though his chances of being drafted high continued to climb and the North Carolina coaching staff saw their chances of acquiring Adenhart to be slim.[8]

Baseball career

In his final high school game, in front of two dozen scouts, Adenhart felt a pop in his elbow after throwing a curve to the third batter, an injury which abruptly ended his season.[8] The injury was a partial ligament tear in his elbow which would require Tommy John surgery, meaning just two weeks before the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft, his stock plummeted; he had originally been projected to be a first round draft pick.[8] Instead, he fell to the 413th overall pick in the 14th round, selected by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.[9] Angels scout Dan Radcliff and director of scouting Eddie Bane convinced Adenhart to forego a scholarship offer from the University of North Carolina and signed him to a $710,000 bonus on July 26, 2004.[10] Adenhart spent the next year rehabbing his elbow at the Angels' rehab facility in Tempe, Arizona. During that time, Adenhart also attended classes at Arizona State University.[11]

Adenhart made his professional debut on June 25, 2005 with the Orem Owlz of the Pioneer League, the Angels' Rookie League affiliate. In his lone appearance for the Owlz, he pitched six innings, allowed one unearned run, struck out seven, and got the win.[12] He spent the rest of the 2005 season with the Angels of the Arizona League that summer. In 13 games for the Angels, he had a 2-3 record, a 3.68 ERA, and 52 strikeouts.[12] The following spring, at the age of 19, Adenhart was one of 12 pitchers who earned a non-roster invitation to the Angels' big league camp.[13] As the 2006 season began, he was also considered the Angels' sixth best prospect and the 90th best overall by Baseball America.[14] Adenhart was assigned to the Cedar Rapids Kernels, the Angels' Low-A affiliate, after spring training. He pitched well for the Kernels. In 16 games, Adenhart had ten wins, a 1.95 ERA, and 99 strikeouts in 106 innings pitched.[12] His performance earned him a starting assignment in the 2006 All-Star Futures Game on June 20 and a promotion to the organization's High-A affiliate nine days later.[15] He continued his efforts with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, winning five games and losing two in nine starts.[12] Adenhart was a member of the United States Olympic Qualifying team in 2006, along with fellow Angels prospect Brandon Wood.[16]

In 2007, Adenhart became a top-ranked prospect in the Angels organization. Baseball America has him ranked as the 34th best prospect in baseball and second in the Angels organization.[17] He was called up to the Double-A Arkansas Travelers for which he played the 2007 season. In 26 appearances, he had a record of 10-8 with a 3.65 ERA.[12] The following year, Adenhart was called up to the Triple-A Salt Lake City Bees, where he spent the majority of the 2008 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim season. He was declared the 24th best prospect in the majors that season.[18] In the month of April, Adenhart had a 4-0 record with a 0.87 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 31 innings. As a result, he was brought up to the Angels' major league roster, and was scheduled to make his debut on May 1, pitching on three days rest.[19] Shortstop Maicer Izturis was placed on the disabled list when Adenhart was brought up.[20]

"I got called up, and I was realizing a dream. I felt like I had to not give up any runs and throw a shutout every time out and wow everybody. I put pressure on myself. That was enough of that. I'm just having fun now."

Nick Adenhart reflecting on the 2008 season, Baseball America, April 6, 2009.[21]

Adenhart made his Major League debut as the starting pitcher against the Oakland Athletics at home in Angel Stadium of Anaheim. At the time, he was the youngest active-roster pitcher in the major leagues.[20] In his debut, he gave up five earned runs and walked five in two innings, earning a no-decision in a 15-8 loss.[22] Adenhart was disappointed in his first appearance, saying, "I let down the team first. You always want to go out and prove yourself to your teammates and your manager and your coaches. I was a disappointment to myself also."[20] His second start was against the Kansas City Royals, where he earned another no-decision, allowing three earned runs and striking out three over 4⅓ innings in a 5-3 win by the Angels. The reaction to his second start was more positive, with manager Mike Scioscia saying that "it was definitely a start in the right direction."[23] Adenhart earned his only career decision, a victory, on May 12, 2008, against the Chicago White Sox in Anaheim, giving up four earned runs in 5⅔ innings en route to a 10-7 Angels victory.[24]

After the win against the White Sox, Adenhart was sent back down to the Salt Lake City Bees and called up reliever Jose Arredondo as a result of fellow starting pitcher John Lackey returning from the disabled list, ready to make his debut against the White Sox.[25] He spent the rest of the 2008 season at Salt Lake City, owning a 9-13 record with a 5.76 ERA in 26 games.[12] Adenhart was declared the best prospect in the Angels organization going into 2009, and was ranked 68th overall on Baseball America's 2009 prospects, citing his 158 innings pitched per year over the past three seasons.[26] Adenhart earned his spot in the Angels 2009 starting rotation, via a spring training in which he recorded a 3-0 record and a 3.12 ERA, allowing nine earned runs in 26 innings over the course of six starts. During that span, he struck out 18 while allowing only five walks.[27] Adenhart opened the 2009 season as the third starter in the Angels' rotation.[1] In his season debut on April 8, 2009, he earned a no-decision, giving up seven hits and no runs while striking out five batters and walking three batters in six innings against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.[28]

Death

File:Nick Adenhart.jpg
The Washington Nationals honoring Nick Adenhart before a game.

Shortly after midnight on April 9, 2009, Adenhart was involved in a car crash in Template:City-state, just hours after being the starting pitcher in a game against the Oakland Athletics. Police reported that an individual driving a red Toyota Sienna minivan ran a red light, hitting a gray Mitsubishi Eclipse in which Adenhart was a passenger, sending the Mitsubishi crashing into a telephone pole. Courtney Stewart, the driver of the Mitsubishi, and Henry Pearson, a passenger in the Mitsubishi, were pronounced dead at the scene.[29] Adenhart and Jon Wilhite, the third passenger in the Mitsubishi, were taken to University of California, Irvine Medical Center, where Adenhart died as a result of his injuries.[30] Wilhite suffered an internal decapitation, but survived the crash and underwent a five hour surgery to reattach his skull six days after the accident.[31]

The driver of the minivan fled the scene on foot, but was later apprehended and identified as Andrew Thomas Gallo.[1] On May 27, 2009, Gallo was indicted by the Orange County grand jury on three counts of murder, one count each of felony hit-and-run, driving under the influence and causing injury, and driving with a .08 percent blood alcohol or higher and causing injury.[32] Gallo had a blood alcohol content of .19 percent two hours after the crash, and was also driving with a suspended license.[32] On June 8, 2009, Gallo entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment.[33] A Superior Court judge in Orange County, California, has postponed Gallo's trial for six months at the defense's request, with a new start date of April 19, 2010.[34]

Memorials

File:Nick Adenhart Banner.jpg
Nick Adenhart banner at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
Makeshift shrine outside the home plate gates to Angel Stadium.

Adenhart's family released this statement, following his death:

Nick's family expresses sincere gratitude for all the help the Angels have provided. He lived his dream and was blessed to be part of an organization comprised of such warm, caring, and compassionate people. The Angels were his extended family. Thanks to all of Nick's loyal supporters and fans throughout his career. He will always be in everyone's hearts forever.[35]

Angels General Manager Tony Reagins released a statement as well:

The Angels family has suffered a tremendous loss today. We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Nick's family, friends, loved ones and fans.[35]

The Angels postponed the game for the day immediately after Adenhart's death.[36] In remembrance of Adenhart, for the rest of the 2009 season, a black number 34 patch was placed above the heart on Angels uniforms, his locker in the Angel Stadium of Anaheim clubhouse remained as it was, and a locker was assigned to him on road games.[37] The team hung one of Adenhart's jerseys in their dugout during games.[38] A black and white photo of Adenhart along with his name and number was added to the center field fence at Angel Stadium.[37] A makeshift shrine, dedicated to Adenhart, was established outside the home plate gates to Angel Stadium.[39]

The Salt Lake Bees, the Angels' AAA affiliate, also postponed their game on April 9 against the Reno Aces.[40] The team also wore a number 32 patch through the season representing Adenhart's jersey number during his time with the Bees.[40] A number 32 was also painted on the grass in front of the Bees dugout.[40]

On September 28, 2009, when the Angels celebrated winning the American League West division, they honored Adenhart by spraying champagne and beer on one of his jerseys, and then gathered in front of the outfield wall memorial for a team picture.[41] The appropriateness of celebrating with alcohol in respect to Adenhart's death being alcohol related was questioned, but family members were supportive of the celebrations. Adenhart's father Jim stated, "That's baseball. If Nick were there, he'd have been throwing a few back as well."[42] Adenhart's teammates voted to give his family a full playoff share for the 2009 playoffs worth $138,038.57.[43] Angels manager Mike Scioscia dedicated his 2009 American League Manager of the Year Award to Adenhart.[44]

The Angels established the Nick Adenhart Pitcher of the Year award given to an Angels pitcher for outstanding performance throughout the regular season.[45] The Little League Baseball field where Adenhart played in Template:City-state was rededicated as the Nicholas James Adenhart Memorial Field.[46]

The Adenhart family created the Nick Adenhart Memorial Fund, which is designed to provide financial support to youth baseball organizations. The goal is to lend a helping hand to struggling leagues around the country to buy equipment and cover expenses to keep youth baseball functioning.[47] The first presentation from the fund was for $5000 to the Halfway, Maryland Little League.[4] Adenhart is buried at Greenlawn Cemetery, in Williamsport, Maryland, just across the street from Springfield Middle School, where he attended and played baseball as a child.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Angels pitcher killed in crash". Associated Press. April 10, 2009. Retrieved April 10, 2009.
  2. ^ Spencer, Lyle (2010-01-16). "Younger brother continues Adenhart's legacy". MLB.com. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
  3. ^ a b c Becker, Michael (April 27, 2009). "Town mourns life cut short". The Press-Enterprise. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  4. ^ a b Parasiliti, Bob (July 1, 2009). "Adenhart fund donates $5K to Little League". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
  5. ^ a b c Kubatko, Roch (May 8, 2004). "Adenhart is pitching to hit the big leagues". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 23, 2009.
  6. ^ Mastovich, Mike (April 10, 2009). "AAABA team mourns loss of Angels rookie". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved September 24, 2009.
  7. ^ a b Kaufmann, Dan (May 23, 2003). "Adenhart earns Gatorade award". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  8. ^ a b c Steinberg, Dan (May 29, 2004). "When you get a good kid...it's sad". Washington Post. Retrieved September 24, 2009.
  9. ^ Kubatko, Roch (August 1, 2004). "Adenhart worth wait for Angels". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 10, 2009.
  10. ^ Callis, Jim (July 26, 2004). "Angels Sign Adenhart For $710,000". Baseball America. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  11. ^ Kline, Chris (May 22, 2006). "Adenhart starring for low Class A Cedar Rapids". Baseball America. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "Nick Adenhart Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  13. ^ Scarr, Mike (February 22, 2006). "Adenhart getting taste of big leagues". MLB.com. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  14. ^ "Baseball America - 2006 Top 100 Prospects: 51-100". Baseball America. February 23, 2006. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  15. ^ Lederer, Rich (July 17, 2006). "Nick Adenhart: A Rising Star (Once Again)". Baseball Analysts. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
  16. ^ Manuel, John (August 15, 2006). "Butler, Wood Lead U.S. Olympic Qualifying Roster". Baseball America. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  17. ^ "2007 Top 100 Prospects". Baseball America. February 28, 2007. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  18. ^ "Top 100 Prospects: No. 21-40". Baseball America. February 26, 2008. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  19. ^ Hurst, Matt (April 30, 2008). "Angels prospect Adenhart to debut today". The Press-Enterprise. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  20. ^ a b c "Cust goes 4-for-4, tags go-ahead homer in A's win". ESPN.com. May 1, 2008. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  21. ^ Shaikin, Bill (April 6, 2009). "Second Chance Coming: Adenhart ready to rebound in big leagues". Baseball America. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  22. ^ Scarr, Mike (May 2, 2008). "Angels struggle in finale". MLB.com. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  23. ^ Parasiliti, Bob (May 7, 2008). "Another no-decision for Adenhart". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  24. ^ Klima, John (May 12, 2008). "Guerrero's big bat comes alive". MLB.com. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  25. ^ Klima, John (May 13, 2008). "Adenhart wins, then gets sent down". MLB.com. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  26. ^ "Top 100 Prospects: No. 61-80". Baseball America. February 24, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  27. ^ "Former Bees pitcher Nick Adenhart killed in automobile accident". KFAN. April 9, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
  28. ^ Spencer, Lyle (April 9, 2009). "A's rally off Angels bullpen". MLB.com. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  29. ^ Goffard, Christopher (April 10, 2009). "For the Angels, a promising young arm arrives -- and then is lost". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 10, 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ Singer, Tom (April 9, 2009). "Angels' Adenhart killed in accident". MLB.com. Retrieved April 9, 2009.
  31. ^ Giasone, Barbara (July 9, 2009). "How doctors saved Adenhart crash survivor's life". Orange County Register. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  32. ^ a b Welborn, Larry (May 27, 2009). "Grand jury indicts driver in crash that killed Angels pitcher". Orange County Register. Retrieved May 28, 2009.
  33. ^ Welborn, Larry (June 8, 2009). "Not guilty plea in crash that killed Angels pitcher". Orange County Register. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
  34. ^ Sheinin, Dave. "Angels are touched by a rookie lost, and never to be forgotten". Washington Post. Retrieved October 19, 2009. {{cite news}}: Text "October 15, 2009" ignored (help)
  35. ^ a b Nieves, Rosalina (April 9, 2009). "Angels' Nick Adenhart killed in car crash". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  36. ^ "Adenhart mourned; game postponed". MLB.com. April 9, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
  37. ^ a b Bollinger, Rhett (April 10, 2009). "Adenhart honored in pregame ceremony". MLB.com. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  38. ^ Curry, Jack (May 2, 2009). "Angels Are Maintaining Adenhart's Presence". The New York Times. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  39. ^ Crowe, Jerry (August 7, 2009). "Shrine to Nick Adenhart continues to grow at Angel Stadium". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 25, 2009.
  40. ^ a b c Facer, Dirk (April 10, 2009). "Emotions run high for Salt Lake Bees honoring former teammate". Deseret News. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  41. ^ DiGiovanna, Mike (September 29, 2009). "AL West title is sweet, and bittersweet, for Angels". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
  42. ^ Saxon, Mark (September 29, 2009). "Angels' Mead says Adenhart's family appreciative". Orange County Register. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
  43. ^ Spencer, Lyle (November 30, 2009). "Halos share purse with Adenhart's estate". MLB.com. Retrieved November 30, 2009.
  44. ^ Rumberg, Howie (January 23, 2010). "A-Rod chokes up when receiving playoffs MVP award". Associated Press. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  45. ^ Quinn, Roberts (June 21, 2009). "Halos create Adenhart, Gomez awards". MLB.com. Retrieved June 22, 2009.
  46. ^ McMillion, Dave (August 23, 2009). "Adenhart's memory honored at Halfway LL". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved August 24, 2009.
  47. ^ Parasiliti, Bob (May 8, 2009). "Nick Adenhart's family starts memorial fund". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
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