Former Kernels pitcher Adenhart killed in car crash

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, who pitched for the Cedar Rapids Kernels in 2006, died in a hit-and-run automobile accident just after midnight California time Thursday. Adenhart was one of three people who died in the multiple car crash near Fullerton, Calif., which involved a drunken driver whose license had been revoked.

Thursday's game between the Angels and Oakland Athletics has been postponed. Adenhart threw six shutout innings against the Athletics on Wednesday night. He went 10-2 with a 1.95 ERA in 16 starts for Cedar Rapids in 2006 before being promoted to high-Class A Rancho Cucamonga. He made his major league debut last season with the Angels and was considered their top prospect.

"He was a great kid," said Kernels General Manager Jack Roeder. "He made the Midwest League All-Star Game that year (2006), and that's where I really got to spend a lot of time with him. He got promoted shortly after that. That was my best memory of him, just finding out what a nice young man he was."

Kernels radio play-by-play man John Rogers said there were some tears shed in the Kernels front office Thursday over the tragedy.

"Nick was just a very good human being," Rogers said. "And a highly talented pitcher who worked hard at his craft.

"It's not like you're best buddies with the players or anything like that when they are here. But you root for them if they are respectful of you. And he was."

Adenhart was a 14th-round draft pick of the Angels in 2004 out of Hagerstown, Md. He signed with Los Angeles despite tearing an elbow ligament while pitching his senior year and had Tommy John surgery.  

"I'm sure he was on Cloud Nine last night after his start," Roeder said. "Then in the blink of an eye, he's no longer with us.

"Whoever coined the phrase 'Live today like it's your last' knew exactly what they were talking about."

Here is a link to the accident story in the Orange County Register:

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/cave-vehicle-fullerton-2358886-lemon-orangethorpe