There’s a lot of buzz today about the photos of Angels players dousing beer on the jersey of the late Nick Adenhart after clinching the AL West Monday night.
Adenhart died in an alcohol-related crash in April.
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Ducks coach Randy Carlyle was saddened by the news of the death of Angels’ pitcher Nick Adenhart and made the following comments after his team held practice on Thursday morning at Honda Center
It touches everybody. It just shows everybody is vulnerable.
I’m sure everybody in this organization passes on their condolences to the families of the people involved, the athletes and the Angels and their staff. It’s a tough time to get through this.
Reaction was swift from Baltimore, Nick Adenhart’s hometown, after news of the Angels pitcher’s death in an auto accident early Thursday morning.
Orioles pitcher Dennis Sarfate, a good friend who worked out with Adenhart much of the winter in Arizona, was distraught when contacted by the Baltimore Sun.
“It’s sad when you hear stuff like that,” Sarfate told the Sun. “He had a bright future; he was going to be good for years, you could just tell.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. It’s one of those things that hits home, and you just kind of want to go home and hang out for the day with your family, just to get them close. . . . It’s one of those things you just can’t plan for.”
Adenhart, who had an offseason residence in Baltimore, also worked out this winter at the B.A.T.T. Academy in Glen Burnie., Md., which was operated by Larry Williams, a former high school coach and longtime pro scout.
“I’ve known him since he was a kid,” Williams told the Sun. “He was touted as being a potential top one or top two pick in the draft, but in his senior season in high school, he blew out his elbow and had Tommy John surgery. Everbody passed on him, and the Angels took a flyer on him in the 14th round (in 2004).
“I’m shocked, pure and simple. He was a great kid who worked very hard in the offseason. He was a guy the high school and college kids could look at his work ethic fighting back from the injury. Just a great story – the kid who wouldn’t quit.”
Orioles manager Dave Trembley said he called Sarfate and “reassured him,” according to the Sun.
“He worked out with the guy all winter, and I know one of our scouts, Dean Albany, is real close to the young man who passed away,” Trembley said. “It’s not a good day.”
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FOXsports.com’s Gerry Fraley reports that the Angels have already put together a package to offer the San Diego Padres for right-hander Jake Peavy.
According to mlb.com’s Lyle Spencer the Padres are seeking infielder Brandon Wood and pitchers Nick Adenhart and Kevin Jepsen for Peavy.
Peavy must still approve any trade and has expressed his preference to stay in the National League. But prolonged trade talks with the Chicago Cubs this past week and Atlanta Braves earlier produced no results.
Peavy’s agent Barry Axelrod told Jon Heyman the pitcher is frustrated by the Padres’ inability to move him.
The Cubs, Braves, Dodgers, Astros and Cardinals were the five teams on a preferred list Axelrod provided to the Padres. He said Peavy isn’t doing any more lists.
And, apparently, the Angels are only interested in obtaining Peavy if they fail to re-sign their No. 1 priority, first baseman Mark Teixeira — so Peavy has replaced CC Sabathia in that regard.
Talking to Angels GM Tony Reagins Monday afternoon, he termed it “unlikely” that he would swing a significant trade before Thursday’s deadline.
“Twenty-four hours ago, I had no idea this would get done,” he said Tuesday after announcing that the Angels had acquired Mark Teixeira for Casey Kotchman and minor-league Stephen Marek.
The Angels return from the All-Star break with 57 victories (tied for the best in the majors) and a six-game lead in the American League West (the largest lead in any division).
Yesterday, we listed the ‘Five Things That Must Happen’ for the Angels in the second half. Today, it’s the ‘Five Things That Won’t Happen’ in the second half.
Vladimir Guerrero hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning to power the Angels to a 10-4 lead over the White Sox through six innings.
The Angels went into the fifth inning, trailing, 4-2, but Sean Rodriguez led off the inning with an infield hit that bounced off the chest of shortstop Orlando Cabrera. Gary Matthews followed with an infield hit that was initially stopped by second baseman Juan Uribe. Uribe dropped the ball, however, and was unable to get an out at first or second. Guerrero then hit his first home run since April 25.
The Angels added another run in the inning on an infield hit by Robb Quinlan and triple by Garret Anderson.
Nick Adenhart pitched 5 2/3 innings and is in position to pick up his first major league victory.
The Angels added four unearned runs in the sixth inning, with the big hit coming on a two-run, pinch-hit single by Casey Kotchman.
Nick Adenhart had a mini-meltdown in the second inning and it led to three runs by the Chicago White Sox.
Jermaine Dye singled with one out and moved to second on a walk to A.J. Pierzynski. Nick Swisher hit a half-swing single to load the bases and Joe Crede’s infield single scored one run. Juan Uribe’s broken-bat single scored two more runs and gave the White Sox a 3-0 lead.
The Angels got two runs back in their half of the inning. One run came on a sacrifice fly by Joe Napoli and the second run was plated on a two-out single by Gary Matthews Jr.
