TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Angels paid tribute to late Orange Coast College coach John Altobelli and his family on Tuesday, wearing black OCC hats with Altobelli’s No. 14 embroidered on the right side, against the Reds at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Altobelli, 56, died in the helicopter crash that also claimed the lives of eight others, including his wife Keri, 46, and his daughter Alyssa, 13, as well as legendary basketball star Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna. The Angels previously held a celebration of life on Feb. 10 at Angel Stadium to honor those lives lost in the tragic crash.

"It brings things into perspective,” said right-hander Dylan Bundy. “It's not just all about baseball. Life happens quick. It was a sad day. I'm glad we were able to honor him in that way."

Altobelli was regarded as one of the best junior college coaches in the country. He would’ve been entering his 28th season with the Pirates and had a lengthy list of accomplishments, including four state titles and more than 700 wins.

Angels manager Joe Maddon said he never met Altobelli but was aware of the success of his program and was glad the Angels were able to honor Altobelli and his family. It was an idea hashed out by club president John Carpino and Maddon. The tribute was originally slated for the club’s first spring game on Saturday, but it was rained out.

“Of course, it’s about the coach and the program but it’s about his family,” Maddon said. “When this all came down, and everyone talked about Kobe and rightfully so, but I’m a father and a grandfather so I thought about the young ladies involved in this, too. His daughter and Kobe’s daughter. That really made a mark on me. I called John Carpino and thought it was really important we do something to honor them. This is our way to do it right now. I know there was an event in Anaheim at Angel Stadium. I don’t think we’re done doing that. I’m not personally done. I need to know more. But when that occurred, it was of course tragic, but the young ladies who never got a chance, that bothers me.”

The decision to honor Altobelli hit close to home for catching prospect Jack Kruger, who played one season at OCC under Altobelli in 2015 before moving on to Mississippi State and getting drafted by the Angels in the 20th round of the ’16 Draft.

“I’m glad we’re doing it,” Kruger said. “He was a legend in the community. He was an amazing guy. He helped a lot of people, including me and my family. He was a players’ coach. Everything was about the players and what we needed. He took himself out of the limelight.”