A Year Later

I started writing this yesterday, but didn't get a chance to finish it, so here is the combined two-day efforts of my thoughts on the one-year anniversary of Nick Adenhart's death.

I can't believe it's been a year since Nick Adenhart was killed following his 2009 debut. It seems a little surreal. I can't believe a year has gone by already.

It doesn't feel like that long ago that I met Nick. This tall skinny kid had a big smile and made everyone laugh with his antics during media day.

I kept thinking that this kid (and I can say kid because he was the only player on the team that was younger than me) was the no. 1 pitching prospect for thw whole organization.

I loved watching him throw. He was so talented, it seemed his biggest would easily be overcome with him and maturity and I was anxious to see him produce in the bigs.

I remember watching his six-inning shut out against the A's last year. I was joking with Carey about Nick the whole time. The following day I was on my way to work when my brother called me and told me what happened. Just thinking about that day make me feel sick to my stomach. Every emothions comes back so quickly.

When something this tragic happens it feels like there is no possible way that the world will still go on, and yet one year has already passed by.

I just want to comment on what an amazing organization that ball club is. The Angels handled the situation with such grace and should be commended for their actions.

"People have understood the tragedy as time goes on and you try to accept it but to be honest it was never about us, it was never about our team or our organization. It still remains about a family losing a son and a community losing a son. Jim and Janet and the whole extended Adenhart family, we got a little bit of peace by trying to support them." - Manager Mike Scioscia

Links to some news stories
LA Times
ESPN
LAAngels.com

Washington Post

***picture from ESPN.com

Pure Exhaustion

This move is much more exhausting than I imagined it could be.

Every night when I have fallen asleep I feel like a few seconds pass by and then I'm awake, and it is not fun. I'm so tired that I almost tried to take a nap, but I didn't have enough time before the BYU game last night.

This brings me to my next topic, DirecTV. We have it now and it is awesome. Janessa got a great TV with her tax returns and all of the HD channels look amazing. Not only did we get the Hd package, but we have the MLB network.

I am literally sitting here watching the DVR recording of 30 Clubs in 30 Days about the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. I'm just loving it!

Last year we had the MLB Network four about a week and I was obsessed with 30 Clubs in 30 Days. It's awesome. They visit all 30 baseball clubs in spring training. not only do they break down the talent of the teams but you see an entertaining portrayal of the coaches and the players.

The Angels' Spring Training has been going well and I'm excited for opening day. I was a little nervous with Lackey going to the Red Sox (it is painful to say that because of how much I dislike the Red Sox and how good Lackey is).

A lot of statisticians have said that the Angels aren't going to be as good this year as they have been in the past and the Rangers are going to give them some trouble in the division, but I still think there is an expectation of winning in the clubhouse and they will find a way.

Matsui is with the Angels now and I love reading this blog because some of the writers will make comments about the Japanese media that follow him around, it's a bit entertaining.

Because I Needed Something New

I had to put something new up. I can't handle seeing all the stuff about Nick all over the news sources that I frequent and having his name plastered on my blog when i went to check my friends' updates was not helping my cause.

I haven't been very talkative lately and that is why I haven't shared very much, but I am trying right now.

Shane Loux made his first major league start since 2003. I'm so happy for the success that Shane is experiencing.

As exciting as the first week of baseball typically is, I find it giving the promise of what is to come. Unfortunately this promise has been dulled over Nick's accident and the lovely snow that is falling just outside the walls of my office.

I'm going to Vegas and St. George in a few days and I can't wait!

Remembering Nick

Click Here For More Information About Nick Adenhart's Playing Career and the Fatal Accident

Last year I had the wonderful opportunity of getting to know Nick Adenhart. The tragic news that greeted me on the way to work was very unexpected and rendered me speechless. My heart goes out to Nick's family, friends and teammates.

I've struggled with processing the news surrounding this talented young man the entire day. It is hard to take it all in.

After finally displaying his ability to be a Major League starting pitcher last night against the Oakland A's, tragedy strikes. He had a great amount of talent, I loved to watch him throw live or in a bullpen. His easy delivery looked almost effortless and his pitches had a lot of life to them. I never doubted that he would establish himself with a great presence in the Big Leagues.

He struggled after his first Major League call up last year, but he worked hard to get back to the dominate pitcher he was.

I have many memories of Nick during his time in Salt Lake City. I'm glad to have known him.

I am interested to see the effect this will have on the Angles' clubhouse. I was privileged to work with the Angels organization and it will have a special place in my heart forever. My heart goes out to them as they deal with the personal loss of a very special person and they deal with losing their top prospect.

Like An Old Friend

I have very distinct memories of sports talk radio.

When I was a little girl, I would be trapped in a car full of boys for hours (one of the many joys of being the only daughter). My dad always listens to the AM radio. I don't think I've ever heard him listen to music in the car, with the exception of a little Meatloaf.

My dad is also a really big St. Louis Cardinals fan, and when he was younger he would spend hours listening to the Cardinals' games with his dad and two brothers. Naturally, whenever there was a game on we would be listening to it.

I catch myself tuning into games on the radio frequently. I just turned on the Angels game when I got into work and heard Steve Klauke call a spectacular play that a shortstop made to catch a runner from reaching first, and it felt like I had just seen an old friend.

I spent countless hours listening to that man call the Salt Lake Bees games this past summer, so hearing his voice on the radio made me feel as if I was driving from Salt Lake back to Provo while the team was on the road.

Even now, I am sitting at work and the BYU baseball game is on the radio in the background and sound of Brent Norton's voice seems so familiar in the background of everything going on around me.

Now if only the team could make a seven-run comeback in the top of the ninth....

25 Randoms about me and Baseball

So everyone knows about the 25 Randoms floating all over facebook, but I've seen some baseball bloggers do it and I figured why not.

1. Baseball is in my blood. I'm not joking either. Everyone in my family loves baseball, and I literally grew up on the diamond.

2. I once tried to quit loving baseball. It was my freshman year of college and I thought, I've had enough of this sport and I am going to stop because I am not at home. That lasted until baseball season started and then I was at almost every BYU game that year.

3. The closest I ever got to playing baseball was t-ball, because after that I played softball.

4. I really love softball, but the game is very different than baseball. A lot of people think that it is basically women's baseball, but it's not. Once people realize that they begin to enjoy the sport a lot more.

5. I can think of one vacation that my family went on that was not baseball related. We went to Alaska when I was six years old. Other than that it's always been baseball.

6. I find myself planning vacations around baseball now. For instance I'm trying to plan one to spring training in Arizona and last summer I planned an entire trip around the Angels. I once made a two-day stop at home to catch a Rockies game.

7. I loathe the Boston Red Sox, and their bandwagon friends. Seriously...

8. I think that a salary cap would be good for the game, but that would never happen. Ever.

9. The number of positions on the field.

10. I'm not mad that A Rod admitted to taking steroids. I'm sick of the media talking about it and I think that most fans are too. Everyone wants to close the chapter on the steroids era except the media.

11. I don't like Bud Selig.

12. Ever since doing an internship with the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, I have grown to love minor league baseball and player development. I would love to work in player development. I love watching prospects rise up to expectations. It's so exciting.

13. I'm a master at scoring baseball games now.

14. I'm the kind of fan that really follows players more than teams. Don't get me wrong because there are teams that I like, but I like to see other players do well.

15. I think Josh Hamilton is an awesome role model for kids. I think he is awesome for what he has done and what he has shown the world.

16. I don't understand the love affair with baseball cards and probably never will. The only cards that I own are the 2008 Salt Lake Bees player cards, and that is because they mean something to me.

17. My dream job is working in Major League Baseball. I'm working on it, but it's kinda hard. I need some serious Spanish skills, but I'm pretty sure I was destined to do it.

18. If I start working for the Bees again, I am going to stop writing about baseball here. Conflict of interest. However, you will be able to read my mad blogging skills o the Bees Web site, which features a blog titled BeeWax. Of course that is pending my return for the 2009 season.

19. Catcher is my favorite position. A lot of the work, little glory. Despite my love for the position, I find myself liking pitchers. Also, pitchers are generally crazy.

20. I really like Baseball America. They named Sean McNaughton as the Mountain West Conference Pre-season Player of the Year. I once wrote a feature story on him.

21. One of my favorite players is Ken Griffey Jr., I think Jason Varitek is incredibly talented (even if he is a Red Sox), I love Matt Holliday.

22. When I was in seventh grade I started drinking Pepsi products over Coca Cola because Sammy Sosa endorse Pepsi. I had a crush of him and I began a love affair with the Cubs that has since ended.

23. I think the rockpile was ingenius and it has contributed into my turning my friends into baseball fans.

24. I'm trying to think of my favorite basebal realated moment that I have lived through and it's hard. I think it's when the Rockies went 21-1 to the World Series! That was amazing!

25. Baseball is played during the summer and I love summer. I've been waking up in the mornings and imagining it is warm outside, that I cal put on some shorts or a skirt and sandals and head over to the ball park. Then I remember that it snowed last night so that is not really a possibility.

There you go.

It's Happening

I knew it would, after baseball is a business.

The first player move for one of the players that I really grew to know and appreciate. As I was gearing up for spring training and wondering what players I might see back for the 2009 season (whether or not I myself will be back is yet to be determined) and I on my facebook home page was of my favorite players' facebook page. I soon discovered...... He signed with the Brewers.

It is awesome for him!

He was with the Angels since he was drafted right after his first year of college. He had made his way through the minors and was on the 40-man roster last year, but the Angels needed to free up space to sign free agent Bobby Abreu.

As a top pitching prospect, the Brewers picked him right up. It is probably a better place for him to be because he isn't overlooked because of a different superstar prospect, and he isn't waiting behind a solid starting rotation (although the fifth starter spot hasn't been determined).

I knew the players would eventually scatter to other franchises (some have already signed minor league contracts with other teams) but I was fully expecting to see him this season and to chat while he charted on his off days.

Non-Roster Invitees

With Spring Training around the corner, many teams have released their non-roster invitees to the Big League Camp.

Everyone listed on the 40-man roster goes to the Big League Camp, along with a number of prospects that have a shot of a call up during the 2009 season.

A lot of catchers are always invited, for the Angels I have seen most of the catchers and I am most impressed (on the non-roster side) with Ben Johnson. They call him BJ. His hard work ethic is evident and he has a silent demeanor about him. I enjoyed his humility, which is rare for a professional athlete.

Angel de los Santos is supposed to be a guy to keep an eye on. I've heard good thing but I haven't seen him yet. I imagine that he will be up to triple-A this season.

As far as pitchers are concerned, I'm pretty suprised that Matt Wilhite was invited. He had a rough season last year. His side-arm style makes him unique, but I didn't see it as super effective.

Pav is up for the Big League Camp this year. He had an amazing year this past season so I'm glad he'll get a look.

Brad Coon is going up for and so is Peter Bourjos for the outfielders. Bourjos was called up to triple-A at the end of last year but I never saw him take a cut outside of BP. He had 50 stolen bases at single-A Rancho Cucamonga. Baseball America named him the Angels top position playing prospect.

Jordan Walden will be up at the Big League Camp this year. At 6'5 and 220 he is a big guy, and can do some real damage. I've heard scouts talk about them and most are pretty excited to see him progress, but nothing compared to the way they talk about other pitching prospects.

Walden's young though, so we'll see what happens.

Sporting World Update

School is literally consuming my life right now. There are so many things that I want to write about but I'll just give a little bit of attention to everything for you.

Brooke and I decorated her Christmas tree tonight. I love the holiday season!

Baseball America came out with its top prospects. I was a little surprised that Nick Adenhart was named the Angel's Angel's No. 1 prospect. Of the top-10 prospect, seven were pitchers which is a little unexpected. Kevin Jepsen ranked in at No. 7. It will be interesting to see what happens at winter meetings this year.

Also I had a random dream about Nick, it was strange. That is two prospect dreams within three weeks. Weird.

I'm not sure if the Angels will get all, or any, of the free agents they offered arbitration to. I'm hoping for Mark Teixeira but I'm not going to be all the surprised if He signs with a team with a lot more money like the Red Sox. I've heard that Jason Varitek will return to the Red Sox, so I don't know if they will sign Teixeira.

The 2009 Hall of Fame ballot was released. The voting will take place on Jan. 12. I'm excited to see who will make it in this year. Tommy John will be on the ballot for his final year (you get 15 years on the ballot). I'm not expecting him to make it, I just think it's interesting.
Check out this article on John and this one for the Hall of Fame voting information.

Plaxico Buress shot himself in the leg. Ha Ha Ha. Really? Seriously?

Following his arrest for weapons charges he was suspended by the NFL for four games and the Giants placed him on the non-football injury list, which means he can't return for the rest of the season.

The Broncos looked really good against the Jets. What I can't figure out is why they can perform so well in New York but choke in Denver against the Raiders. Honestly.

I'm heading into the playoff for my Fantasy League in first place. I used to think fantasy sports were a waste of time but, now I kinda like them. I'm kinda good at it.

Well this is all for now. I must go back to writing about Nike's marketing campaigns and the More Good Foundation.

Here's to only 10 more days of school left!!!!!

Thoughts on a Thanksgiving Morning

It is hard not to think about everything that I am grateful for. I feel as though my cup runeth over. I have been blessed abundantly in so many ways.

I have such an amazing family! I am grateful that through all the craze, divorces and issues we have pulled through it all by relying on each other. Today it is just my mother and I, we are going over to a friends house after we finish baking all the pies. Justin and Brooke are in Logandale with Brooke's family and Jeff and Jenna are in Kalamazoo with Jenna's family. This is the first time that the three of us have been apart on Thanksgiving.

Not to give all the love to my two older brothers, but I am remarkably blessed to be so close to both sets of my parents, my aunts and uncles and all my cousins. I love spending time with all of them and miss them all like crazy when I'm in Utah.

I have to recognize my framily, you know my friends that have become my family. I really have the best friends in the world. I can't express how lucky I am to have so many wonderful friends who care about me. From Grey's to boats to breakups and marriages we have all been there for each other, through our highs and our lows.

I am grateful for the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. Last night I got the opportunity to go to the Colorado Avalanche. During the National Anthem I found myself thinking about how grateful I am to the founding fathers who recognized the ideals and truths that have become the foundation of this Country. We might be going through some rocky times, but we will prevail.

I am grateful to be a woman. Not that there is anything wrong with men (well...). Women are powerful beyond anyone's expectations. I hope to retain my womanhood through all my endeavors in. I aspire to be like the strong women who have paved the way for me through the workplace, the political arena, in the home and in communities. I am grateful to those who had to sacrifice so much to design the path.

I am also really grateful to be able to watch my little brother Reggie grow up. I marvel at the world that he will experience, though only 14 years younger than me, his perspective will be remarkably different than mine. He is growing up in a post-9/11 society, he sees the bad with the good that at his age I never knew existed.

I am grateful to be educated. I really feel that knowledge is power. By gaining an education you better understand the world you live in and your place in it. I am especially grateful to be educated in an environment like BYU. I have been able to explore so many different subjects at the feet of brilliant minds, while getting a religious influence in my life as well.

I am grateful for my faith. It has shaped me and changed my heart in so many ways. I never imagined I would be the person that I am today.

There really is so much more that I am grateful for. Things that have shaped my life and things that are small and insignificant. I'm going to list a few without going into detail to spare you before you stop reading.

Sports (duh, did you really think I wouldn't mention that one), My car, Nordstrom, Diet Pepsi/Coke, Pie, Thanksgiving dinner, the recently lowered gas prices, Art, running shoes, airplanes, my work, the experience I had with the Salt Lake Bees and therefore the Angels, Boys who have hurt my heart or who's hearts I've hurt, communication tools, mentors, ugh...the Jazz (just because without them the Bees wouldn't exist J/K Hannah, Go Jazz!), Memories, movies and love!

I Could Tell From the Minute I Woke Up...

Hello World,

Please forgive me for not updating my blog for over an entire month. I've been trying to decide what direction to take this thing, and as I was deciding I got really distracted by this evil little thing called school.

Here is a brief update:

I have one semester of school left.

I'm applying to a number of internship programs for my first post-graduation year, I won't really know if I am leaving this little Provo town until I just before I leave.

If I don't get accepted, I'll stay with BYU Athletic Communications for another year, yeah more time in Provo but hey -- it's a job. Maybe I'll be back with the Bees too.

Anyway, I don't have much time so I will just leave you with a quick reminder of my excitement over David Price, the man's a stud. He can't help that he is just that talented. The Phillies may have won the world series, but everyone will remember the Rays of 2008.

Matt Holliday is to become a member of the Oakland A's. Smart move for the Rockies? I think so. They can get some pitching out of the deal and they move the all-star while they acquire something from him. I'll always be a Holliday fan. Do you think it was right?

I'm waiting for the Angels to sign Mark Teixeira. I think it would be the best free agent sign of their off-season. They exercised options on Valddy and Lackey, but they are still fitting the pieces together. It looks like they won't sign Garland, opening the fifth starter role to one of my boys out of Triple-A, I'm hoping they keep Loux in the bullpen and the starter spot goes to one of the Nick's (Adenhart or Green). It would be cool for Ortega, but I'm rooting for Salt'n peppa.

BYU is no longer a BCS buster, but what I think all the fans are forgetting is that Bronco is trying to establish a foundation for the program to return to greatness. This is only his fourth year as head coach and BYU is 9-1 right now. Stop complaining, because next year when the team is amazing y'all be back on the bandwagon.

Hello Little Boys Little Toys

So I am fairly certain that September 2008 has been the longest month of my life. I feel like I could have fit my entire summer in stupid September. I only curse the month because it yielded the return of school, chilly weather, and the end of the Bees season.

I tried very hard to let go of my poor disposition, and after having crappy terrible days where I fought with my apartment complex and got parking tickets (ala BYU Police) I decided that it was time for sending positive vibes out into the universe.

So here are the positive things on my mind that have to do with September.

1.David Price - 2007 overall No. 1 draft pick makes his ML debut and makes his first start. After tossing four scoreless innings in his first start he struggled and allowed two runs in the fifth, quite the promising outing for the Rays' pitcher. I find in unlikely that the lanky lefty will make the post-season roster, but I relish in the debut of a young prospect. I find in remarkable that he could begin his first professional season in Single-A and make his way all the way to the majors.

2. BYU Football - Despite the chaos of losing the SID days before the season opener, the season has gone quite well. We've had an incredible amount of media attention this season (check out the upcoming issue of ESPN mag). The team is still undefeated and I'm looking forward to TCU and Utah.

3. Denver Broncos /Jay Cutler - Don't let anyone fool you, not many analysts thought the Broncos would be 3-0. People suspected that Cutler would have a breakout season, but even with the expectations Cutler's performance is nothing shy of dazzling. Its about time Denver had some luck.

4. Peach as a baking ingredient - Justin's home owners brought over an amazing peach pie that I could not get enough of. Since then I have discovered the joy of baking with peach. I've made a tart, cobbler (amazing!) and pie. I'm still deciding what I am going to make next. Last year it was pumpkin, this year it's peach.

5. October - So it's just around the corner and I love this month! I'm not looking forward to the snow and wearing coats again, but I love the post-season and I love Halloween. I'm still working on a costume but I'm thinking a cute version of Champ Bailey, let me know what you think.