The Angels Claim Los Angeles Angels Pitcher, Nick Adenhart, as He Dies in Car Crash

According to the Los Angeles Times, an Angels pitcher, Nick Adenhart, was killed in a hit and run car crash. A minivan driven by an alleged drunk driver broadsided the car in which Adenhart was a passenger. Only hours earlier the 22- year-old pitcher had appeared in the Angels game. The accident occurred at the intersection of Orangethorpe Avenue and Lemon Street in Fullerton. Police later arrested Andrew Thomas Gallo, 22, of San Bernardino, on suspicion of felony driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter. Gallo had fled on foot after the accident, but the police caught up with him a mile away and took him into custody on suspicion of hit and run. With Adenhart's death, the Angels announced that they would be in mourning, and the game against the Oakland Athletics would be postponed. By noon, the same day, a memorial at Angel Stadium was covered with flowers, stuffed animals, rally monkeys, and a sign that read: "No. 34 One More Angel in Heaven."

Yankee Corey Lidle, also met an untimely death when a small plane carrying Lidle and his flight instructor slammed into a 40-story apartment building on October 12, 2006. According to the Associated Press and ESPN, both were killed in the crash. Lidle, who was 34 years old, was an avid pilot who had recently gotten his license. Both bodies were found on the street below, and the plane's engine was found in one of the apartments. Lidle had repeatedly assured reporters in recent weeks that flying was safe and the the Yankees had no reason to worry. The Yankees were indeed worried since they had been traumatized in 1979 when catcher Thurman Munson was killed in the crash of a plane he was piloting.

Thurman Munson, 32 year old yankee catcher was killed in a small plane he was piloting. According to CBS2 Classics, Munson's plane missed the runway at Akron-Canton Airport where he was practicing takeoffs and landings. Jerry Anderson and Dave Hall, survived the crash. Munson was the captain of the team until his death. He had become accustomed to commuting between Ohio and New York to spend time with his wife and his three children. Not long after his death, owner George Steinbrenner declared No. 15 would be retired. A plaque was dedicated in his memory in Monument Park. Munson was a seven-time All Star and won three Gold Gloves. He led the Yankees to World Series championships in 1977 and 1978. The Yankees did not win another title until 1996. Munson's locker at Yankee Stadium remains empty to this day.

According to the New York Times, on January 2nd, 1973, Roberto Clemente, star outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates died in the crash of a cargo plane. The plane was carrying relief supplies to the victims of an earthquake in Managua, Nicaragua. Clemente was born in Puerto Rico and was 38 years old when he died. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff from the San Juan International Airport at 9:22 P.M. Coast Guard planes circled the area, but the wreakage was not found until 5P.M. There was no sign of survivors. Mrs. Clemente had been concerned that the plane seemed old and overloaded. Her husband had assured her that everything would be just fine. When the pilot did not show up until late, Clemente told his wife that if there were one more delay he would postppone the trip until the morning. He finally insisted on going that evening because he wanted to make certain that the supplies got into the hands of the people who needed them. He was named to the All-Star team 12 times and in 1966 was named the league's Most Valuable Player. He led the Pittsburgh Pirates to two world championships, in 1960 and 1971.

It is indeed with great sadness that I write these articles, for these great athletes will always be remembered fondly, bravely, and with admiration.

Sources used:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-angels-adenhart10-2009apr10,0,118557.story
http://wcbstv.com/classic/thurman.munson.new.2.246241.html
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2621860
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/0818.html