Nothing to Add

by Grant Brisbee on Apr 10, 2009 2:21 PM PDT

If you're reading this site, you're probably a baseball nerd. Use whatever word you like if "nerd" offends you -- wonk, nut, lover. But if you're here, it's probably because baseball is one of your main passions. As such, you're probably here because baseball is one of the things that you use to forget about the real world. That's one of the reasons that the word "steroids" has been used on the front page just 22 times in over four years, and only about four times in a serious manner. Steroid use is all about ethics and society and blah blah blah. I deal with ethics and society and blah blah blah every day. When I watch baseball or read about it, I want to watch baseball or read about it. Keep real life out of it.

Yesterday was a tough day to do that, though. I can't add anything to the Nick Adenhart story that Halos Heaven didn't already cover in their moving tribute. I never saw Adenhart pitch, and I was only tangentially aware of him as a prospect. The only thing I could think was, "Dang, how would I feel if that were (Giants prospect or young family member)?", but that's just a selfish reaction to a horrible event. And when I was all amped up on anger, ready to go on an anti-drunk-driving screed, well, Halos Heaven did it better than I could have hoped to, probably because their anger is tangible. That isn't to suggest that mine is false or manufactured, but it's obviously a different kind of anger.

And while we were trying to process how one broken human being can affect the lives of so many through malicious indifference, we're reminded that awful things happen just by chance. If you had some sort of master actuary table for baseball events, you might know that .0002% or so of all pitches thrown will result in a pitcher getting hit in the head with a line drive, but that doesn't diminish any of the horror. If Joe Martinez gripped the ball a half-seam to the left, or if Mike Cameron choked up on his bat 1/19th of a millimeter more, or if the umpire had to rustle around two seconds more for a baseball to put in play, maybe things would have been different. Maybe better...or maybe much, much worse.

The only thing that the Adenhart and Martinez situations share is a reminder that there are an infinite number of external forces beyond our control. And if I think about it too long, I'm crippled with fear. I usually use baseball to escape from that omnipresent-yet-repressed fear. That doesn't work too well today, so there's nothing for me to write. I can't do poignant, and I can't do pointless, which would include almost anything baseball-related.

Best wishes to the Adenhart family, and best wishes to everyone in the Angels organization. Best wishes to Joe Martinez on a speedy recovery, both physically and mentally.

Tweet Comment 44 comments | 15 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

word

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Apr 10, 2009 2:23 PM PDT reply actions

All kidding aside, thanks for running this site, Grant. Yesterday sucked (7-1 win excepted), but I think we’re all glad we had such an awesome place to come to and worry and freak out and commiserate together. Baseball is awesome and so is McCovey Chronicles.

Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
Adopted Giant: Fred "Ruthless Aggression" Lewis

by jcb9 on Apr 10, 2009 2:24 PM PDT reply actions 9 recs

This

Thanks Grant.

Baseball is a lot like life. The line drives are caught, the squibbles go for base hits. It's an unfair game. -Rod Kanehl. Adopted brother of Jason Jarvis

by j14 on Apr 10, 2009 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions

This

Yesterday was just not a nice day and I’m glad that I had some kindred spirits that I could turn to. And thanks go out to Grant as well for keeping this place going.

Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.

by cornball on Apr 10, 2009 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions

exellent post, very eloquently put

life is to fragile to take things for granted

thankfully we have this great American pastime to draw us away from reality

im 23 and i cant even fathom what it might have been like for Mr. Adenhart, to be on top of the world with his whole life ahead of him… i never even once heard of the man, but yet i feel like we’re close in spirit. (pretty cheesy i know, but i dont know what else to say)

get well soon, Martinez. best wishes to the Adenhart family

by KINGofCRA5H on Apr 10, 2009 2:33 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks Grant.

That was fantastic writing.

Adopted groomer for Mark Gardner's Mullet / Adopted brother of the AnVil

by SoFa King Mike on Apr 10, 2009 2:33 PM PDT reply actions

Agreed

you CAN do poignant, but you probably already knew that, you cocky SOB (Son of a Bisbee)

"The BB's are out. The BB's are being arseholes to me." - Brian Wilson.

by hairball on Apr 10, 2009 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Well put

Excellent post, Grant.

by MbahABako on Apr 10, 2009 2:34 PM PDT reply actions

And if I think about it too long, I'm crippled with fear.

The Way of the Samurai is found in death. Meditation on inevitable death should be preformed daily. Every day when one’s body and mind are at peace, one should meditate on being ripped apart by arrows, rifles, spears, and swords. Being carried away by surging waves, being thrown into the midst of a great fire, being struck by lightning, being shaken to death by a great earthquake, falling from thousand foot cliffs,
dying of disease, committing seppuku at the death of one’s master,
and every day, without fail, one should consider him self as dead.
This is the substance of the Way of the Samurai.

FIRE BRIAN SABEAN... UNLESS HE KEEPS DRAFTING WELL. .. AND SIGNS UNDERRATED PLAYERS LIKE AFFELDT OR PHELPS. .. OR ALRIGHT WHO'S PLAYING WITH THE ALIEN MIND-SWITCHING RAY?
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game currently in early planning stages.

by zenbitz on Apr 10, 2009 2:35 PM PDT reply actions

Knocked it out of the park, Grant

An excellent read.

by Lars The Wanderer on Apr 10, 2009 2:38 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks so much Grant.

Jesse Foppert: I Still Believe
"I've come to the conclusion that the two most important things in life are good friends and a good bullpen." ~Bob Lemon,

by AndYourBirdCanSing on Apr 10, 2009 2:38 PM PDT reply actions

Somewhat related

Kind if in line with what you were saying.

My significant other has been staying in Pacific Heights with some relatives. Last night the relatives were out of town and she was in the house alone. While she was asleep a burglar climbed through the kitchen window and took a few items including her wallet. He went to another house in the area and tripped an alarm, got spooked and dropped some items including her wallet. The cops found it and called her. She was unaware anyone had been in the house until that moment when she realized she had seen the kitchen window open this morning.

All I can think about are the “what-ifs.” What if she had been in the next room and heard it. What if she had came down for a glass of water. What if he ventured further into the house…

My heart is pounding just thinking of all the things that could have happened. It’s just another example of the importance of not taking anything for granted because you never know when it could be snatched away from you.

Unfortunately for Nick Adenhart and his family they were not as lucky and it is a terrible tragedy.

by projectmayhem713 on Apr 10, 2009 2:45 PM PDT reply actions

Recced

Although I’m not entirely sure that that does anything, as it’s on the main page anyway.

Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
Adopted Giant: Fred "Ruthless Aggression" Lewis

by jcb9 on Apr 10, 2009 2:47 PM PDT reply actions

Well said.

Molina had some interesting things to say about Adenhart on his MLB blog before yesterdays game. Pondering the randomness in life.

co-dad of IshikaBOOM w/AfDC.
Ishikawa, let the boy hit against lefties.

by kennv on Apr 10, 2009 2:50 PM PDT reply actions

Great post

My brother-in-law’s sister and one of his nephews were hit and killed by a drunk driver, so the news about Nick Adenhart, tragic enough in its own right, brought up some unpleasant personal memories. Life is maddeningly unfair and maddeningly random. We can’t do much about it beyond being kind to one another while we’re alive, and enjoying the good things in life—of which I count baseball right near the top of the list.

I wish that Nick Adenheart was still here. I’m glad that Joe Martinez still is.

My plans for 2009: getting married and attending Tim Lincecum Bobblehead Day.

by Kitspool on Apr 10, 2009 3:07 PM PDT reply actions

Your misspelling is appropriate

I like it

"The BB's are out. The BB's are being arseholes to me." - Brian Wilson.

by hairball on Apr 10, 2009 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Kits, sorry that you & all others who suffered harm from drunk drivers have to re-live those times.

Forsan et heac olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.

by Mayor of 311 on Apr 10, 2009 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Great post.

Tragedies/scary events like these remind me, to make your time on earth worthwhile and enjoy it. You never know when it going to come to an end.

by CTGiant on Apr 10, 2009 3:21 PM PDT reply actions

Halos Heaven avatars

changed to pictures of Nick in tribute.
very moving.

Sir Alex Omar Hinshaw: It's not right if it's not left.

by The Enchanter on Apr 10, 2009 3:42 PM PDT reply actions

Very moving. I was touched by that.

Forsan et heac olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.

by Mayor of 311 on Apr 10, 2009 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions

I changed mine to a photo of Nick as well. I don’t know how long I’ll keep it up for, but I felt like I had to.

Adopted Giant: Clayton Tanner
"He [Sandoval] is a big, puffy crouton in our wilted salad of a lineup. Do No matter how bad a movie is a eight game sweep is wacky in baseball, so a one run loss in the series is not the end of the world. disparage the comedian." -sfgiantstoday

by walkoff baltimore chop on Apr 10, 2009 6:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Thank you for this

by sfgiantsgirl on Apr 10, 2009 3:53 PM PDT reply actions

Everyone else has already said it, but thanks Grant. Nicely done.

"One percent of ballplayers are leaders of men. The other ninety-nine percent are followers of women."-John McGraw, NY Giants Baseball Club

My adopted son Matt Downs . Ranked as the 24th best prospect in the Giants farm system by Baseball America !!

by nvsfg on Apr 10, 2009 4:10 PM PDT reply actions

Good Work

gully

by DanRed on Apr 10, 2009 4:12 PM PDT reply actions

Well said, good sir.

Proud new co-dad of Travis Ishikawa. And ishikaBOOM Goes the Dynamite.

by Andy from DC on Apr 10, 2009 4:34 PM PDT reply actions

the driver was charged with triple homicide

22 years old and will be spending the rest of his natural life behind bars…and even that is too good for him.

as for joey…15 day dl may be too short

by bacci40 on Apr 10, 2009 4:46 PM PDT reply actions

If you’re on the 15 day DL, you can stay longer than 15 days. So that’s not a problem.

GROUGTHINK ALERT
Chatterbalks dot com: Still with jokes. Now with updates.

by groug on Apr 10, 2009 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions

great post.

by Darryl P on Apr 10, 2009 4:59 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks Grant

I think MCC is one of the things in life I’ve been taking for granted (no pun intended) – so thanks to everyone else too.

Hi, I am Johnny Disaster.

by Johnny Disaster on Apr 10, 2009 5:02 PM PDT reply actions

This was fantastic.

I’d imagine this wasn’t easy to write, and you did a fantastic job with it. Just another reason why McC is the best.

And just incase there are any girls watching, I’ll have you all know that I’m not a nerd, I’m a stud.

by MonkeyChow on Apr 10, 2009 5:16 PM PDT reply actions

And just incase there are any girls watching, I’ll have you all know that I’m not a nerd, I’m a stud.

We all are MC…we all are.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Kevin Frandsen should be with the big team.

by WalrusMan on Apr 10, 2009 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions

There aren’t many girls on this site, huh?

by sfgiantsgirl on Apr 10, 2009 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions

We do have a healthy collection of women on the site, but any noobs always call everyone males which leads to “NO GIRLZ ON INTERWEBZ” quips.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Kevin Frandsen should be with the big team.

by WalrusMan on Apr 10, 2009 6:43 PM PDT up reply actions

kiss, kiss

Krazy Krab despised in the 20th century and loved in the 21st century. Hey it only took over 20 years, so don't give up hope.

by timmeh on Apr 10, 2009 6:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Well said.
And much appreciated.

by Merope on Apr 10, 2009 6:06 PM PDT reply actions

I don't think you give yourself enough credit

That was very well written. If not poignant, damn close. I thoroughly enjoy everything I read here.

"Liberal is to the media what the 2008 San Francisco Giants are to good baseball."
-My Father.

by thecrippesking on Apr 10, 2009 6:11 PM PDT reply actions

Thank You

It’s kind of cliche, but being “real” is virtuous… and often underutilized. Thanks.

by KrazyKrabMeat on Apr 10, 2009 6:21 PM PDT reply actions

My pc has a crappy signal , extremely intermittent

so all this is brand new , Adenhart and Martinez.

the pic of Cameron at second with Winn is , um , pow.

The driver will feel this in many ways for many , many years.
while it wasn’t his intent he certainly didn’t try hard enough to avoid it.

His will be a terrible life.

NL West TempestTeapot
Nothing matters , and what if it did?

by victor frankenstein on Apr 10, 2009 6:36 PM PDT reply actions

Well said, Grant.

Well said.

by walkoff baltimore chop on Apr 10, 2009 6:41 PM PDT reply actions

Well it’s already been said. Nice post Grant and thanks.

Krazy Krab despised in the 20th century and loved in the 21st century. Hey it only took over 20 years, so don't give up hope.

by timmeh on Apr 10, 2009 6:49 PM PDT reply actions

Respect

Well put, and glad you gave props to the Angels site for their take on things as well. Condolencesto the victims families, and best wishes to a speedy recovery for JoeMar (Joe Martinez).

by kornstar2004 on Apr 10, 2009 9:07 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks Grant. Very well put. All the best to the Adenhart familia and Hope JOEY returns even better than before with some kind of Rookie of the Year brain power now.

Giant Dirtbags: Brian Anderson, Todd Jennings, Steve Hammond, John Bowker
Wronghanded Affeldt doing it right

by Giant among Angels on Apr 11, 2009 10:18 AM PDT reply actions