When Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed, I was more affected than I thought I would be. Maybe it's because I was just down in Anaheim for Opening Day and knew (and like) many people in the organization, but I think it was more because of what happened 20 years ago in Santa Barbara to some people I knew. A drunk driver plowed into a group of cyclists-killing one, maiming another, and affecting the others for the rest of their lives.
By Mike Takeuchi
In a lot of ways, Ken Foraker knows how the Angels were feeling when they were at the lowest point in trying to deal with the April 9 death of Nick Adenhart.
He knows, because he too lost an athlete friend to a drunk driver almost exactly 20 years ago, and in that same accident, he lost his leg.
As I watched the Angels on television these last two weeks, and Sunday, in the clubhouse and on the field before a game against the Mariners, I wanted to show some kind of support to a great organization filled with classy people.Because during the grieving period for Adenhart, the thought of Foraker, and especially Chip Wessberg, the rider who was killed, kept popping into my head.
Locals who have been around a while may remember when a drunk driver plowed into a group of elite cyclists from behind on Highway 101 on March 22, 1989. The group, which included former UCSB volleyball star Shari Kain, Category I rider Foraker, and endurance coach Chip Wessberg didnt have a chance.
I remember hearing this funny sound from the car and an explosion, like tires blowing up and thinking uh-oh, Foraker said by telephone.
Foraker was then hit on his left sideof his left leg sheared off above the knee and launched 100 feet down the road.The car dragged him several hundred yards until he stopped, lying next to the body of Wessberg. The whole time, although he wished he had, Ken Foraker did not lose consciousness.
Fast forward through months of hospital stays and rehab, and years of riding his bike with one leg, and Foraker is training at the U.S. Paralympic Training Center in Chula Vista to prepare to become the elite road cyclist he was denied of being twenty years ago. Although things are going well and he has much to look forward to, the memories of the accident, which are never too far away, came back recently.
When I read (about Adenhart) online, I couldnt believe that these three people lost their lives because they were so young, Foraker said.For his teammates, I am sure the sadness is indescribable.Going into the locker room and not seeing him, its going to take a long time to get used to.You dont even know how to deal with it. Because it was caused by a drunk driver, it is something that can cause a lot of anger.It is something that is very difficult to accept. But once they do, theyll be able to move on.
Walking around Angel Stadium, looking at the concrete mound outside the stadium filled with mementos and tributes to the young pitcher and then inside the clubhouse elicited chills. A filled locker in the far right corner of the clubhouse with Adenhart's 34 hanging up amidst shoes and clothes, made it look like the player is going to come in any minute.The only indication of that last night is the April 9 lineup poster รณ the game he last pitched in, laid inside the locker.
While it is quieter than it has been in the past, the banter in the clubhouse seemed easy.There are more smiles and light in the eyes of the players that only two weeks ago were as vacant as a condemned building.Center fielder Tori Hunter spoke easily on a number of topics from Santa Barbaras weather to his hitting the home run the night before. When the delicate topic of the teams psychological status came up, he smiled and nodded as if he expected the question.
Were starting to come around, Hunter said.Were starting to get normal now and I like that.Life goes on and so does our season.
Hunter excused himself to go up on the field where he, second baseman Howie Kendrick, and television announcer Rex Hudler stood at the top of the dugout step to enthusiastically greet many of the 8,000 area little leaguers who were walking on the field prior to the game.
The healing process continues.
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