Nick Adenhart, 1986-2009. R.I.P.

Last night, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitcher Nick Adenhart threw six shutout innings against the Oakland Athletics. The bullpen, however, could not hold onto the lead and Angels lost the game 6-4.

However, losing that game doesn't mean so much this morning.

This morning Nick Adenhart and two other people are dead. Adenhart was only 22 years old.

Adenhart's vehicle was struck by a van that ran a red light killing him and his passengers instantly. The vehicle sped off but police caught the driver and have charged him with three counts of felony hit and run.

The identities of the other two passengers have not yet been released but it is known that one of the passengers was an employees of the Angels organization.

Adenhart had a very promising big league career. He was drafted by the Angels in the 14th round of the 2004 MLB Draft. In 2008, Adenhart made his major league debut and pitched in three games winning one game.

Because of injuries to Angels starters John Lackey and Ervin Santana, Adenhart was being given an opportunity in the starting rotation.

I saw part of the game last night on the MLB Network. Adenhart had already come out of the game by this point but the announcers and network commentators were singing his praises. Sadly, his song will now never be completed.

Aside from Adenhart's family, the Angels are undoubtedly reeling from this tragedy.

Ray Ratto of the San Francisco Chronicle writes:

And that's that. Dead, for no better reason except that they were in the wrong place. Top of the world, then gone.

And that often is the nature of things. We like to see bigger things in every event, and the hackneyed phrase "There's a reason for everything" is proof of that. Sometimes there isn't a reason except that a guy ran a light and then tried to flee his responsibilities. And maybe that's your cautionary tale.

I would argue that there is a reason for everything.

But no one ever said the reason had to be good.