Yesterday, Darren O’Day made his first appearance in orange and blue. He hit the first batter he faced and then let up a two-run single, allowing two inherited runners to score.
But O’Day was pitching with a heavy heart. His ex-teammate, Nick Adenhart, had died early that morning. O’Day only found out an hour or so before the first pitch.
David Lennon relays a quote:
"I distinctly remember last year when I got sent down to Salt Lake and he called me the first night," said O'Day, who was visibly upset as he talked with reporters. "He went out of his way to welcome me to the team. He was an awesome teammate and a great friend. He'll be missed. I wish I would have called him last night or at least sent him a text message or something. I sent him one today, but that doesn't really do much good."
O'Day appeared to be on the verge of breaking down after that last sentence.
I couldn’t even imagine walking out to the mound and trying to quell all your nerves and emotions. I know that’s what is expected of a pitched, but not in a case like this.
Hopefully this doesn’t go against O’Day, who is fighting for a roster spot as Livan Hernandez’s activation inches closer.
RIP Nick Adenhart.