Weaver was supposed to move into an apartment with Adenhart just a couple of days after the crash. He was among the Angels' contingent at the funeral service. Before Tuesday's game, some players and coaches met again with Adenhart's family. They gathered together at the team's hotel and shared a few private moments.
"They're obviously trying to move forward," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We're happy they feel good enough to come out here."
While the team has tried to honor Adenhart's memory quietly and privately, they knew the trip to Baltimore would be accompanied by a lot of reminders and plenty of memories. Pitcher Dustin Moseley had heard his friend speak many times of home.
"We've tried to do everything we can to help console them," Moseley said. "While we're sitting here, still got to play, these guys have this on their heart all the time. As well as we knew him, these are his parents, best friends, people that have known him forever."
Moseley and several of his teammates left tickets for Adenhart's family and friends. The Orioles gave the family the owner's box, where Jim Adenhart, Nick's father, and many of his close friends watched the series opener.
Nearly 50 more friends were seated together on the third-base line. Greg Small, 23, had planned his visit to the ballpark months ago. He was here Tuesday night, wearing a shirt that had "34" on the chest.
"I mean, I get up in the morning, this is all I think about," he said. "I've never had to deal with death before. I cried for two straight days."
Small played Little League ball with Adenhart, serving as his catcher before Adenhart earned phenom status. He was with a couple of dozen friends the night of April 8 at Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar. They were there until closing time, watching Adenhart pitch six shutout innings in his first start of the season.
The next day Small awoke early to a ringing telephone. That whole morning is a blur to him, he says.
Even nearly three weeks later, from the players in the dugout to the fans in the stands, life has been slow to come back into focus.
