A Fallen Angel Celebrated
SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 TAGS:
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim clinched the American League West division title with an 11-0 rout of the Texas Rangers on Monday, and the Angels, delighted at their fifth title in the last six years, celebrated. Players doused each other in champagne and showered beer atop heads. They danced with broad smiles and frolicked into each other’s arms after securing a berth in the post-season yet again. It was a fitting end to a hard fought regular season. But this year their celebration was different. A somber reflection preceded the clubhouse revelry and continued into a full throated tribute.
Anaheim’s manager Mike Scioscia paused after the team left the field to remember 22 year-old Nick Adenhart, a pitcher on the squad who was killed four days into the season in a car accident.
The young hurler’s death proved inspirational for the team, and they showed it in an unorthodox and joyful way. The Angels passed around a jersey that belonged to Adenhart, pouring beer and champagne over his number 34. Then they raced back out onto the field and assembled in front of a large picture of Adenhart on the center field wall. They poured beer and champagne over his picture too, dancing and posing for a team picture in front of their fallen teammate.
A unique send off and a nice reminder that a ball player’s goofball-dom can at times be an appropriate way of paying tribute.
Anaheim’s manager Mike Scioscia paused after the team left the field to remember 22 year-old Nick Adenhart, a pitcher on the squad who was killed four days into the season in a car accident. The young hurler’s death proved inspirational for the team, and they showed it in an unorthodox and joyful way. The Angels passed around a jersey that belonged to Adenhart, pouring beer and champagne over his number 34. Then they raced back out onto the field and assembled in front of a large picture of Adenhart on the center field wall. They poured beer and champagne over his picture too, dancing and posing for a team picture in front of their fallen teammate.
A unique send off and a nice reminder that a ball player’s goofball-dom can at times be an appropriate way of paying tribute.
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