Opening Week, Done!

Well it's April 13th and opening week is done with. It has been a busy week in baseball. First off the major headline from last week was the passing of Nick Adenhart. I had just happened to watch some of that game against the A's on that Wednesday night. I watched him strike out Travis Buck and also get Eric Chavez to ground out. I remember thinking "man this kid looks young!" He was. I had a chance earlier to read the transcript from from the Dodgers game where Vin Scully:

If I may speak for every member of the Dodger organization, our heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the mother and family of Nick Adenhart, and to every member in the Angels organization, for the untimely accident and death of young Nick last night at the tender age of twenty-two. Nick, from Maryland, had pitched six scoreless innings and was in a car with three friends, and a driver apparently went through a red light and T-boned the car, killing three of the four, including Nick, and one other member is in critical condition. And if there is one thing I’ve learned in all my years — and I haven’t learned much — but the one thing I’ve learned: Don’t even waste your time trying to figure out life.

Ground ball through for Andre Ethier, and life continues for those who still have it. And with a leadoff single, Russell Martin will be coming up.

But I would say, it would’t be a bad idea to take a moment and say a prayer in memory for Nick, especially for his parents. What a shock to lose a twenty-two-year-old.

Andre Ethier at first base, Russell Martin the batter, James Loney on deck, and the Dodgers try to strike in the second inning against Kevin Correia. (From http://leitch.tumblr.com/)

I'm not sure it could be said any better.

As we get to baseball, it was a wacky week. Just look at the American League east for instance, Blue Jays are first, The O's are second, followed by New York, Tampa Bay, then Boston. Will this remain like this? I think not. The pitching from Boston will get cranked up and so to will the Yankee's. The big questions is the Ray's bullpen. Can it hold up? We will see.

Also you saw award winners like Dustin Pedroia, Cliff Lee, and Tim Lincecum all struggle. Then you see guys that have bounced around like Emilio Bonifacio light up opposing pitching. Dustin, Cliff, and Tim will bounce back and we'll also find new rising stars.

Then today, another dark day for baseball. I learned of Harry Kalas' passing a few hours before their game against the Nats. So sad to hear. What a great voice and pleasure to listen to. Then later in the day I learn about the passing of Mark "The Bird" Fidrych. Earlier this month I saw an interview with Mark on the MLB Netork and he just seemed like such a good guy. Oh yeah he had pretty good stuff as well.

So in ending, baseball has lost a rising superstar in Nick, a legend of the booth in Harry, and national sensation with great stuff in Mark. Baseball is better because of class acts like you gentlemen!