04/25/24
October 01, 2009
A Moving Tribute: Angels Celebrate Playoff Berth with Nick Adenhart: Traditionally, when a Major League Baseball team secures a playoff spot, they have a party in the clubhouse where they spray champagne and beer all over the place. On Monday night, the Angels won the American League West and clinched a playoff berth. While celebrating in the clubhouse, the Angels grabbed the jersey of the late Nick Adenhart and began pouring champagne on it.
...isn't it a bit odd to pour champagne on his jersey given that he was killed by a driver with a BAC of .19?
I wouldn't say so. Adenhart was the victim of a drunk driver, he wasn't the one that was drunk when the accident occured.
Pouring beer and champagne over one another has been one of those sport traditions that has gone on for what seems like forever when a team has gone thru an entire season together and are celebrating their accomplishments thus far.
I thought this was a heartfelt, spontaneous reaction by Adenhart's teammates that I actually got goosebumbs when I saw that they were celebrating with their fallen teammates jersey.
posted by BornIcon at 01:40 PM on October 01, 2009
Ufez
I think it's probably ironic but not odd. The guys were celebrating in the time honored clubhouse tradition and Adenhart was with them. One just hopes that they had the presence of mind to drive home sober or be driven home if their revelry was of any extent.
posted by THX-1138 at 02:05 PM on October 01, 2009
In memory of Adenhart an alcohol free celebration would have been more moving. Of course that would have required some sacrafice and would have also sent a much more meaningful message honoring him.
I suppose as a society we will never rid ourselves of the DUI problem as long as we feel alcohol is a necessary part of any party, celebration or good time.
Maybe it is time to change the tradition and our way of thinking about what is a celebration.
posted by Atheist at 03:19 PM on October 01, 2009
Prediction:
This thread is about to devolve into the pros and cons of alcohol consumption.
posted by THX-1138 at 03:34 PM on October 01, 2009
Pro's of alcohol: I can dance when drunk.
Con's of alcohol: My mother is a raging alcoholic psychobitch.
posted by Drood at 03:44 PM on October 01, 2009
I read a comment by a blogger this morning to the effect that while there is irony in an alcoholic celebration, the sentiment cannot be overlooked.
Walks away singing, "Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall..."
posted by Howard_T at 03:45 PM on October 01, 2009
Yep - that's my take. It's a bit ironic - but the sentiment seems honest.
Does rub me wrong though. Can't quite put my finger on why. Perhaps it's the public display, or the pouring of the booze onto his shirt, but I find some bad taste here.
Have to say, I would've suggested that they leave a bottle of champagne unopened and place it next to his tombstone - but perhaps others would find that just sappy.
And now I've thought more about that then I ever thought I would.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:26 PM on October 01, 2009
I'm going to suppress my incredibly tasteless (but funny to me) comment.
Instead, let me say that this seems like a spontaneous celebration that erupted into a tribute to their teammate. Hats off to them for remembering him during a period of unbridled joy.
posted by Joey Michaels at 05:55 PM on October 01, 2009
Pro's of alcohol: I can dance when drunk.
Drood, you only think you can dance when you are drunk.
posted by bperk at 06:07 PM on October 01, 2009
I am not sure how spontaneous the celebration was as they knew they would at some point soon clinch and had the champagne all lined up and ready to go. I don't have any problem with the thing but I think it shows they did not put a lot of thought into it. They didn't really do anything that bad but they certainly missed a golden opportunity to not only honor their teamate in a more appropriate way but also send a message about the consequenses of irresponsible behavior. Everyone on the team in a way, is a survivorof this kind of senseless tragedy. If you look at the picture that accompanies the article, it is almost obscene. There is his jersey, completely doused in alcohol while alcohol is flying all around. Ironic is an understatement.
posted by Atheist at 06:08 PM on October 01, 2009
I suppose as a society we will never rid ourselves of the DUI problem as long as we feel alcohol is a necessary part of any party, celebration or good time.
Drinking does not equal drinking and driving. Neither does pouring champagne on people and things. Even getting shitfaced drunk does not equal drinking and driving. The DUI problem is not caused by people who choose to responsibly partake in one of life's little pleasures; it is caused by people who fail to consider or simply ignore the consequences of putting the anonymous people around them at risk. I guess my point is this - we should be able to rid ourselves of the drunk driving problem without ridding ourselves of the drinking. And since prohibition ain't coming back any time soon, we'd better be able to figure it out.
posted by tahoemoj at 06:32 PM on October 01, 2009
Pro's of alcohol: Alcohol silences the voices in my head. Except when they slur "more beer".
Con's of alcohol: Drood's mother is a raging alcoholic psychobitch.
posted by smithnyiu at 06:56 PM on October 01, 2009
In memory of Adenhart an alcohol free celebration would have been more moving.
Before the usual, locker room celebration that some people seem to have a problem with, the Angels did in fact have an alcohol-free celebration that was quite touching as well.
With the locker room celebration, the alcohol is actually poured over everyone's head more so then they're drinking it. I believe that the beer & champagne is the cheap stuff anyways.
posted by BornIcon at 07:26 AM on October 02, 2009
Drood, you only think you can dance when you are drunk.
When I'm drunk, I think Drood can dance, as well.
posted by tahoemoj at 03:29 PM on October 02, 2009
Pro's of alcohol: Alcohol silences the voices in my head. Except when they slur "more beer".
OK, that is now my vote for funniest spofi comment of the year.
posted by irunfromclones at 08:00 PM on October 02, 2009
That's nice of the Angels to remember Adenhart (and not very surprising given that they have kept his jersey in the dugout all season), but isn't it a bit odd to pour champagne on his jersey given that he was killed by a driver with a BAC of .19?