The current Sports Illustrated issue features a moving article on the impact Nick Adenhart left on his team and also gives an update on the lone survivor of the crash that took the life of Deldad's beloved son.
I just viewed the latest Real Sports with Bryant Gumble on HBO. The lead story is a very emotional one about Nick Adenhart, with lots of heart rending comments by his dad Jim. I can't begin to imagine what the family is going through. We are all with you, Jim, and one thing we can relate to is the very special relationship between parents and their ball playing sons. God Bless.
Posts: 552 | Location: The Great Midwest | Registered: February 13, 2004
It was a grand gesture. Just one of so many that they have made over the past months. I have been wanting to share the story of how the Angels have reacted to this tragedy but have been unable to find the proper outlet. I feel that the baseball people on this site will understand and hope you all will bear with me a little.
From the moment that this occurred the Angel organization has been supportive. On the morning of the accident they were here for us and helped us craft a statement to the media. They realized very early that we wished to maintain a large degree of privacy throughout the process and did everything in their power to respect our wishes. Our desire to have a private service was very difficult on them because of the way the media *****s feel it necessary to invade at these times. They went out of their way to shield us from the TMZ's of the world and deflected a lot of the attention.
They ask our permission and consulted us on every aspect of their tributes and always remembered the person, not just the player, and the family that he left behind. It had to be very difficult to have so many requests for us to respond to the media and deflect them all. When the controversy arose regarding the locker room celebration, I contacted the media department and offered to make a public statement that the family supported the players and that we were moved that they included Nick in their celebration. I was advised that it would not be necessary, that as long as the players knew that we supported them, they would handle the media.
In the seven months since this occurred our private phone numbers have never been released to the media. In a day and age where nothing is private that shows how dedicated the entire organization was to our request.
The players were phenomenal. We had the opportunity to spend some time with them and they could not have been classier. When they were in Chicago, they invited my younger son to spend the day with them at the ballpark. He was extremely hesitant because he did not want to feel as if he was intruding on their space. My younger son actually got to take BP, shag flies, have a bullpen session with the guys, and actually sat in the dugout in uniform for the entire game. It was handled so well that the media not only did not know he was there but the opposing team did not even know. The way they took him in and treated him, healed his broken heart to some measure and made baseball alright again. If you could have seen Mike Scoiscia and Mike Butcher and all the players with him that day it would restore your faith in professional athletes. I hope all locker rooms are full of this quality of people.
The money they have donated to the memorial fund, the money they donated to MADD in Nick's name, the way they included the Stewart family and the Pearson family in all their tributes, the fact that they supported and still support Jon Wilhite and his family has been truly amazing. We have always tried to remind people that three other families were deeply affected by this tragedy and the Angels did this without any prompting from us because they understood.
And their fan base is amazing. In a cynical world, that to often disappoints, they have been wonderful. Cards and letters, donations to the memorial fund, and the fact that they maintained a memorial in front of the stadium for the entire year speaks volumes to the fans. One day a box showed up at my door. It was full of cards from fans who had stopped to donate blood at the stadium in Nick's honor. Hundreds of handwritten notes, some with stories, some with just thoughts and prayers. How do you thank so many people?
Voting Nick a full playoff share was an easy gesture, the way they remembered and cared for his family and his memory were constant acts that truly were felt and healed. It takes special people to do what they did and continue to do. How do you ever put into words what they have done for your family?
If you ever get the opportunity to see them play, a round of applause for class and dignity would be greatly appreciated.
Posts: 807 | Location: illinois | Registered: June 24, 2005
There is just something about the HSBBW, and so many who post here, that creates meaning, when none seems apparent. Your willingness to trust and share these aspects of this very difficult journey is truly special. Thank You for providing this glimpse into how wonderful and respectful people really can be!
'You don't have to be a great player to play in the major leagues, you've got to be a good one every day.'
Posts: 2608 | Location: ca | Registered: February 11, 2003
Thank you so much for sharing that with us. What a wonderful, touching story of a baseball organization with a huge heart. And what a fitting tribute to Nick.
My thoughts and prayers are still with you and your family, as well as the other families affected by the accident.
Julie
Posts: 4290 | Location: Minnesota | Registered: January 04, 2003
There are biblical principles at work here imho where people are taught to do their good works in secret. Not one time did anyone from the Angels' organization try and do anything other than help the families of these tragedies and they did it in private and without expecting anything in return. My thanks as well for sharing these wonderful, heart-warming stories. It restores my own faith.
For those that may not know, I know that deldad has worked behind the scenes here at the hsbbweb to help others who have suffered. He did these things even while he endured his own suffering. These are the principles that are important.
That post just touched my heart.It made my holiday season right there, just reading it.God is pleased at all who have been involved.Good being made out of ashes,the Bible talks about constructing good out of tragedy.You are an inspiration to myself and all of us on this site.God Bless you and your family during this holiday.
Posts: 1719 | Location: california | Registered: December 17, 2007
