Here's to Nick!

Last night the Anaheim Angels beat the Rangers to wrap up the American League West. The victory was bitter sweet for the team because someone was obviously missing. The Angels young starting pitcher, Nick Adenhart, was killed by a drunk driver earlier this year. It has been a long road for the Angels an a huge burden was lifted last night.

The Angels celebrated after the game as if they had just won the World Series. It was well warranted. They have been busting their ass to wrap this spot up, and you can believe they had a little extra motivation. During the post-game celebration something spontaneous and unscripted happened that many are starting to question. As the Angels were dousing each other with beer and champagne, they took out the Adenhart jersey that they carry with them everywhere and soaked it with beer. People were calling this insensitive, due to the circumstances of Nick's death. But I think those people are overlooking the sentiment. Nick, in death, as he was in life was just a member of the team. No special treatment and no exemptions, except maybe the pause at Adenhart's corner locker still intact for a brief moment of silence. The team was just celebrating with their teammate. After the shower in the locker room the whole team ran out to the mural on the outfield wall, to pay homage to the young man who they say guided this team with his competitiveness. It was a sight to behold, even for a closet Rangers fan.

To all the naysayers,, don't make assumptions and comments about things you and I could not possibly understand. We aren't in that locker room, we don't know the emotion. Did it look bad given the circumstances, sure. But who are we to judge, it wasn't a P.R. move. It was an automatic response, thanking a teammate for his contribution. Live like no one is watching, and this one Nick Adenhart, is for you.