Baseball is a game of numbers and statistics. It is about winning, losing, batting averages, People become fanatical about their teams. It is where we get the word"fan" I am no exception.

I have been an avid Angels baseball fan for 42 years. From the California Angels, to the Anahiem Angels to their current name of The Los Angeles Angels of Anahiem, I have bled Angel red.Each and every year, with the hope of spring, and new beginings, My Angels winning the championship was right there with God, family,and friends

The season started on April 6th... an Angels win to start off the season. The second game, we took a loss..can't win em all!...

The third game of the season featured a young pitcher, who everyone said was a "can't miss" talent. He had worked hard, and at only 22 was in the Angel's starting pitching rotation.This good looking young man was living out his dream as a major league player.

Nick Adenhart took the mound. Pitch after pitch, he demonstrated he had what it took to pitch at this level. Nick gave up a couple of hits,but held his composure. After 6 innings, Adenhart had allowed no runs, and had struck out 5 Oakland batters in 6 innings! It was the performance of his life, and signaled the era of a new pitching star for the Angels.

Regretfully, after Nick left the game, the Angels relief pitchers could not hold that lead, and they lost, no fault of Adenhart's!

The next morning, I turned on my computer, and checked the games stats , as I always do. The top headline on the ESPN website, stopped my heart.

"Angel rookie pitcher, Nick Adenhart, killed in car accident, hours after the game"

Suddenly, the stats, the winning, the losing, the season itself, seemed unimportant. All I could think about was this wholesome young man, at the zenith of his life, being so abruptly taken from us.On the greatest night of his life..On the threshhold of a great career. I was watching him on T,V just a few short hours ago. Now, all that remains of such youth and vigor and promise, is a shattered family, crushed friends,and anguished teammates.

Nick's accident is a reminder of the acutely fragile nature of our lives.It makes you want to hug your kids. It makes you want to call your parents. It makes you want to say you are sorry to anyone you may have hurt. It reminds us that ballgames, movies, video games and alike are merely diversions. What is real is today.... and the people we love and share this journey of life with. We never know when we may lose someone dear.

Nick had 3 friends with him in the car, that had come to watch him pitch. Two of them died as well The third fights for his life at this moment.. Nicks situation is no more tragic than the others however the high profile of being a pro athlete makes it news worthy.

Nick will never be in the hall of fame. He wont be a household name like Babe Ruth or Hank Aaron.He will, in time, be relagated to an obscure trivia note..a kid who could have been great. Much like 70's pitching sensation Mark Fidrych..(arm and shoulder), Basketball player Lynn Bias(overdose) .. There is something very sad about unfulfilled potential.

Nick symbolized what was good. Not only in sports, but in us. Striving and becoming your best. Young Nick accomplished more in his 22 years , than most do in a lifetime.

To the Adenhart family, my deepest prayers. Nick, has gone from the Los Angeles Angels of Anahiem, which I thought was the big club, to the much higher Angels.... and , Nick you will always be an Angel!

Here is an Angels hub link!

http://hubpages.com/_2mgo4w268rcpx/hub/TheAngels