LA Angels to Resume Play Against Boston Red Sox Following Adenhart's Death

As contradictory as it may sound, tonight's game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Boston Red Sox is not about baseball. But with Boston coming to town, the Angels are forced to press on in the face of overwhelming adversity.

The season, like in any major sport, must go on.

Tonight's game comes only one day after Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, 22, died in a  hit-and-run accident early Thursday morning. Adenhart, one of the Angels' top pitching prospects, had started just hours earlier against the Oakland Athletics.

Adenhart's hit-and-run accident also claimed the lives of Henry Pearson of Manhattan Beach, Calif., a 25-year-old passenger, and 20-year-old Courtney Stewart of Diamond Bar, Calif.

The suspect in the crash, 22-year-old Andrew Gallo of Riverside, Calif., was caught fleeing the scene and faces charges of driving under the influence, felony hit-and-run, and three counts of vehicular manslaughter.

Flowers, signs, jerseys, and other forms of tribute to Adenhart lined the streets outside Angel Stadium. Adenhart's father walked the field, standing on the mound where his son once stood and promised to stand for a long time.

Upon the news of Adenhart's death, the Angels cancelled and rescheduled Thursday night's game against the Athletics. Angels GM Tony Reagins spoke of Adenhart at a Thursday morning news conference.

“Nick was an outstanding player but also a tremendous person,” Reagins said. “We all are in shock. Obviously, watching him last night when he did so well, such a bright future, such a bright kid. We will miss him.”

Adenhart pitched six scoreless innings against Oakland in only his fourth major league start, which the Angels eventually lost 6-4. His father was in attendance.

Jered Weaver draws the unenviable and difficult task of taking the mound for the Angels in tonight's game. He will oppose Boston's Tim Wakefield.

The Angels have yet to reveal any definite plans for a tribute to Adenhart. But at least a moment of silence ought to be expected.

As an April regular season matchup, the importance of tonight's game should be understated anyway. But in the wake of such a sobering tragedy, this game must be put even more into perspective.

Baseball is a passion of millions of people and every professional player who steps onto a diamond. But as we remember the lives of those lost in this tragedy, we must take a step back and realize that it's ultimately just a game.

But, more importantly, it's a game that Nick Adenhart loved.