The first week of the MLB season took a tragic turn on Thursday morning.
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart died early Thursday morning in a hit-and-run traffic accident. Adenhart, 22, died in surgery after the car he was a passenger in was “broadsided in an intersection … by a minivan that apparently ran a red light.”
Just hours before the accident, Adenhart started for the Angels against the Oakland Athletics.
MLB Network “went live around 1:30 [PM ET]” Thursday for special coverage of Adenhart’s death. ESPN also had extensive coverage of the news, with Josh Elliott making the first report at around 11:30 AM ET.
In an unfortunate coincidence, ESPN ran a NASCAR ad highlighting the crashes that take place during races immediately after a segment on Adenhart’s death.
With the Angels’ game canceled, Fox Sports West will televise a tribute to Adenhart on Thursday night. At 7 PM PT, the network will present a roundtable discussion from Angel Stadium with analysts “[offering] their memories of Adenhart.” Then, the network will replay Wednesday night’s game, in which Adenhart pitched six scoreless innings. In lieu of commercials, the net will air “a 10-second silent tribute in Adenhart’s memory” during game breaks.
