This is the type of moment that makes me fall in love with baseball all over again.
After wrapping up the AL West and effectively ending the Rangers minuscule playoff hopes, the Angels took to the clubhouse to kick off the celebration. There was just one thing missing; their fallen teammate. Nick Adenhart. Following a season that was largely clouded by the tragedy of losing the young pitcher in a hit and run accident, the Angels finally had something celebrate. And of course, Adenhart would not be left out of the victory party.
The #34 jersey that accompanied the team everywhere this season, and was hung in the dugout during home games, was on the receiving end of a beer bath that appeared to involve every player ever involved with the Angels franchise. And it didn't end there in the clubhouse. Adenhart wasn't just a teammate to the Angels, he was a part of the team for the entire fan base. In a gesture that was all too approriate, the team continued the celebration in full view of the crowd, right in front of the picture of Adenhart that graces the outfield wall. Chills, absolute chills.
The anchors on SportsCenter said it best; if watching this didn't make the hair on your neck stand up, you should probably see someone about that.
A horrible tragedy that turned into a rallying cry for a devestated team, and ultimately brought about a moment of unbridled joy. Angels fan or not, that is something that all sports fans should feel good about. Good luck finding a better moment than that this year. The only way this could be topped would be another Angels outfield celebration with a World Series trophy in hand.
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