Angel Nick Adenhart's Memory Honored In Champagne Bath

Early in the 2009 MLB season, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim gave one of their star prospects his first major league start. That evening Nick Adenhart pitched 6 innings of shut out baseball and sadly, later that night he was killed by a drunk driver.

The Angels played the whole season with heavy hearts, keeping Adenhart's locker intact. His jersey would travel with the team on road trips. To on lookers it was apparent how close this rookie player was with his teammates.

Fast forward to the end of September. The Angels clinched the AL West division and celebrate customarily with champagne bathes in the club house. Adenhart's jersey got a generous champagne bath as well. Every team in baseball celebrates clinching divisions this way.



So what do I hate about this story? Nothing, I think its great. What I hate is the media criticism that fell upon the team for pouring alcohol on Adenhart's jersey, when ironically enough, his life was taken by a drunk driver.

What I hate most about this: In hindsight, it makes sense. But give the Angels a break! No one in that clubhouse made that connection. They were simply celebrating the way teams always have. Perhaps it was in bad taste, but only if you frame it that way. The way I see it, they were just acting like Adenhart was there with them, bathing in glorious champagne with his teammates like they knew he would have.