Last night, Orioles pitcher Miguel Gonzalez made his first ever big league start against the Angels. It’s been a long and winding road to the majors for the 28-year-old, who’s gone through knee surgery, Tommy John surgery, and the death of his close friend Nick Adenhart, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2009.

Two years before his death, Adenhart had given a glove to Gonzalez as a gift when they were teammates in the Angels’ minor league system. Gonzalez has since kept the glove by his side wherever his baseball travels have taken him, and in his first major league start last night, he wore it in honor of Adenhart. Gonzalez went 7 innings, giving up one run on three hits, striking out six, and ultimately earning his first major league victory with his late friend’s gift in hand.

From the AP, via ESPN:

Gonzalez has kept the glove with him ever since, even taking it on the road in the minors with two organizations. When he finally got a call-up with the Orioles and then a spot start — in Anaheim, no less, just a short drive from his home — he knew what to wear to the biggest game of his life.

“I thought it was a good time to do it,” said Gonzalez, emotions swelling behind his eyes. “I’ve been taking it with me every time on the road. I used it once in a while. … I’m with him in my heart, and his family, I’m with them, too.”

His own family was close at hand. Gonzalez, who is from the nearby San Fernando Valley, thrilled the 200 or so family members and friends watching the culmination of his determination.

“I’m a fighter, and I’ve been doing well all around,” Gonzalez said. “Family and friends were all there for me. After all the ups and downs I’ve had, I was just glad to help out the team.”

(Source: Original photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images; H/T to Ken Korach, who shared Gonzalez’s story on tonight’s A’s/M’s broadcast)