A Tribute To Nick Adenhart

Nick Adenhart was born on August 24, 1986 in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Before the age of 20, he was considered an accomplished pitcher, and was expected to be in the majors in the next couple of years.

In 2003, he was awarded the Youth Player of the Year by the prestigious "Baseball America", and became the "top-ranked high school prospect" in 2004. Adenhart began his senior season at Williamsport High School projected to be a top  five draft pick.

Unfortunately, Adenhart suffered an elbow injury two weeks before the 2004 draft and ended up having to undergo Tommy John surgery on Jun. 17.

However, the Angels still drafted him in the 14^th round, and Nick signed on Jul. 26, 2004. He spent the 2004 season rehabbing his elbow at the Angel’s spring training facility in Mesa, AZ.

Starting in 2005, Adenhart played four seasons in the minor leagues. He went 37-28 in the minors, with a 3.87 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. In 2006, Adenhart had his best year going 15-4 with Rancho Cucamonga and the Cedar Rapids.

After a dominating 2006 season, he was invited to his first spring training. Since then, he has been invited back every year.

In 2008, he started his first game in the Bigs.

On May 1, 2008, he faced the Oakland A’s. He only went 2 IP, and gave up five runs, gaining the no-decision.

Five days later, on May 6, Adenhart faced Kansas City in his second game in the Bigs. Adenhart went 4.1 innings, giving up just three runs, and the Angels went on to win, 5-3.

In his final major league baseball game of the 2008 season, May 12, Adenhart faced the Chicago White Sox, where he earned his first big league win. He went 5.2 innings, giving up four runs, and became 1-0.

His next major league start would be on Apr. 8.

Scott Boras, Adenhart’s agent, contacted Adenhart’s father before and said, “You’re going to see something special from Nick tonight. I can feel it.”

Unfortunately, it would be Adenhart's last start and game. On Apr. 8, Adenhart faced the Oakland A’s where he pitched 6 scoreless innings and having 5 strikeouts.

His father attended the game, and had a chance to speak with Adenhart that night.

Little did he know that would be the last time he’d speak to his son. Hours after the game, Adenhart was struck by a drunk driver who ran a red light.

Adenhart suffered many injuries, and was brought to the UC Irvine hospital, where he received surgery. But Adenhart did not survive.

A drunk driver had taken away the 22-year-old Nick Adenhart’s life, along with two of his friends.

Adenhart’s first game and last games were was against the Oakland A’s.

Adenhart’s life was cut short, along with his promising future. I hope Andrew Gallo, the drunk driver that struck Adenhart and his two friends, receives the maximum penalty. You will be missed, Nick Adenhart.

R.I.P.

Career Statistics (Major League):

W/L: 1-0

IP: 18

SO: 9

ERA: 6.00

W %: 1.000