Advertisement

Fallen pitcher Adenhart remembered online

April 10, 2009

Friends and fans from Washington County and around the world turned to the Internet to say their goodbyes to baseball player Nick Adenhart.

Some offered condolences to the family on The Herald-Mail's Web site at www.herald-mail.com.

By Friday afternoon, 49 tribute groups memorializing Adenhart had been created on Facebook, a social networking Web site. Some of the groups were created by Adenhart's high school friends, others by fans from across the country.

Almost 9,000 people from around the world had joined the largest of the groups, and more than 600 messages had been written in Adenhart's memory.

One message posted on a group's site read, "He came such a long way from those little league days He made all of us from Halfway/Williamsport proud and shined a little light on our little town."

Advertisement

Tribute pages were being set up on Myspace, another social networking site.

The eBay auction Web site had about 1,300 listings Friday for Adenhart baseball cards and other memorabilia for sale. Several cards were getting more than one bid.

A merchant from Manitowoc, Wisc., was selling memorial T-shirts and ribbons as car magnets.

One person was reselling copies of Friday's Herald-Mail, with its coverage of Adenhart. Proceeds will go to a memorial fund for Adenhart, if one is established, the seller wrote.

The following are some of the tributes from www.herald-mail.com:

"This is a tragic loss. Living just behind Pony League, we have heard all the names. Nick's will be remembered in the hallows of Funkhouser Park forever. Our prayers are with the entire Adenhart family, The LA Angels and the rest of the baseball world."

"This is tragic loss for everyone in Washington County area. He will be missed greatly. He reached his peak last night and God made him one of his Angels today. Nick Adenhart will be missed in every persons heart from the his class, teammates, coaches, teachers, and family. God Speed to you Nick."

"I had Nick as a student at St. Maria Goretti before he went to Williamsport. He was a very intelligent young man and treated me with respect. His death is indeed a blow to the entire county."

"My heartfelt sympathy to his family during this terribly difficult time. May God bless and comfort you in the days and weeks to come."

"My deepest sympathy to his family during this time. May the Lord comfort you with your loss."

"My deepest sympathy to Nick's family and friends. Washington County and the world of baseball has lost a great one. Nick will forever be an Angel in the Outfield."

"I remember I had Nick as a 10-year-old in a local baseball camp. We put him in the 14-15-year-old groups because his talent was unreal for his age. I knew he was going to be special, even then. I've enjoyed following his success, being a former pitcher myself and suffering from arm injuries, I was rooting for him to comeback strong. Well, he did. My prayers are with Nick and his family."

"I work for the Angel organization as a video editor. I talked to Nick during the game and told him I had a picture for him and would bring it the following day. Who knew I would not see him again. He will be sorely missed and was a great player and friend. Nick, you were an inspiration to the team and myself. Thanks for being a friend."

"Since I heard of the horrible tragedy, I have not stopped thinking about Nick. I feel the pain as if I known him for a long time. I have a son and I would be devasted to get such news. My deepest condolences go out to his family and his friends."

"As the mother of boys that grew up playing ball I know how close you all become. My son also caught for alot of great guys through the years and I can't imagine how hard it would be to lose one of them. My heart goes out to Nick's family, friends, and lifelong catcher. I am also sorry for the families and friends of Henry and Courtney. I wish Jon a speedy recovery."

-- Erin Julius and Andrew Schotz




Driver in Adenhart crash charged with murder



The man accused of driving drunk and causing a crash that killed Major League pitcher Nick Adenhart and two other people has been charged with three counts of murder.

Authorities in Orange County, Calif., said Friday that Andrew Thomas Gallo was charged with three felony counts of murder.

Gallo, 22, of San Gabriel, Calif., allegedly drove a minivan through a red light in Fullerton, Calif., early Thursday, hitting a Mitsubishi in which Adenhart, a 2004 Williamsport High School graduate, was a passenger.

Adenhart, 22, and two others in the car -- Courtney Stewart, 20, and Henry Pearson, 25 -- were killed, according to the Orange County District Attorney's office.

Another passenger, 24-year-old Jon Wilhite, survived, but was in critical condition.

Authorities alleged that Gallo was driving about 65 mph in a 35 mph zone while under the influence of alcohol. A news release issued by the DA's office says Gallo's blood-alcohol level was almost three times the legal limit of .08.

Also, his driver's license was suspended and he was on probation because of a previous drunk-driving conviction, the news release says.

Gallo, who is accused of running from the scene of the crash, was caught less than 30 minutes later, about two miles away, the news release says.

Gallo also was charged with one felony count each of fleeing the scene of a traffic collision involving death, driving under the influence causing injury and driving with a .08 percent blood-alcohol level causing injury.

He was being held on $1 million bail and will be arraigned Monday.

The crash came hours after Adenhart pitched six scoreless innings for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. It was his fourth Major League game.

-- Andrew Schotz

The Herald-Mail Articles
|
|
|