Driver Kills Angels Pitcher

From Gillian Flaccus and Ken Peters of the Associated Press at Comcast Sports:
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others were killed by a suspected drunk driver Thursday, a shocking end to the life of a rookie who had overcome major elbow surgery to realize his big league dreams.
The accident in neighboring Fullerton occurred hours after the 22-year-old pitcher made his season debut with his father in the stands, throwing six scoreless innings against the Oakland Athletics. The Angels ultimately lost the game, 6-4.
The team postponed Thursday night's game with Oakland, the final one of their season-opening series.
``It is a tragedy that will never be forgotten,'' manager Mike Scioscia said at an Angel Stadium news conference.
Adenhart's father, Jim, a retired Secret Service agent, walked onto the field in the empty stadium Thursday and spent several moments alone on the pitcher's mound. Wearing a red sweatshirt, the Angels' color, he briefly covered his eyes with one hand.
Jim Adenhart also spoke during a closed-door meeting of players and team officials.
``He just wanted to say thank you for the opportunity, thank you for raising his kid in minor league ball on up through the system in the Angels' organization,'' outfielder Torii Hunter said.
Nick Adenhart was a passenger in a silver Mitsubishi Eclipse that was broadsided in an intersection about 12:30 a.m. by a minivan that apparently ran a red light, police said.
The impact spun around both vehicles, and one then struck another car but that driver was not hurt, police said.
The minivan driver fled the crash on foot and was captured about 30 minutes later. Police identified him as Andrew Thomas Gallo, 22, of Riverside, and said he had a suspended license because of a previous drunken driving conviction.

Biggest Burger: 4,800 Calories!

From AOL News and the Associated Press:

The staff dietitian at a doctors group is asking the West Michigan Whitecaps [minor league baseball team] to put a warning label on the enormous new hamburger that it's selling this season. Susan Levin of the Washington-based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine sent a letter to the Grand Rapids minor-league team on Tuesday.

She's asking that the 4,800-calorie burger be labeled a "dietary disaster" that increases the risk of cancer and heart disease.
The 4-pound, $20 burger features five beef patties, five slices of cheese, nearly a cup of chili and liberal doses of salsa and corn chips — all on an 8-inch bun.
Whitecaps spokesman Mickey Graham said the team hasn't considered labeling the burger, which he says is a gimmick being promoted as a very unhealthy menu item.

Cole Kicks Off

Our Phavorite Phillie Cole Hamels takes the mound today and he's focused and ready to get back to his day job. Here's part of the story from Andy Martino at the Philadelphia Inquirer:

In the last six months, Cole Hamels has won four postseason games and the most valuable player award in two series, chatted with David Letterman, appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, spoken about education in Malawi, and began a transition from baseball phenom to mainstream celebrity.
Hamels, 25, is scheduled to start today for the Phillies in an exhibition game against Canada's team in the World Baseball Classic, marking the end of a hectic, shortened off-season for the pitcher.
Constantly in demand after the World Series, the young ace admitted that the experience was draining, but said that he was eager to return to work.
"The off-season is supposed to be time to be off," Hamels said. "We want to be able to get right mentally, but me and my teammates haven't really been able to get away, and that hurts you a little. . . . But we have a job to do now, and we're excited about that."
He added: "At this point, you almost have to forget about [winning it all], pretend it never happened."

If that's what it takes, then let's pretend it never happened. We know that Cole is grounded, focused, real. Git it done, Cole!