An “incredible tale of redemption”
I already thought of that, before seeing in this ESPN story, about Josh Hamilton. His stunning performance on the field at Yankee Stadium was just the most evident proof that there was something special at work in this young man. His face held a joy that went beyond the triumph of smashing three times as many balls far into the stands than the next closest players in the homerun derby. The announcers referred to his ‘comback kid’ story often – they had plenty of time to talk about him during his single-handed fireworks show from home plate – and some of its depth came out.
Hamilton’s incredible tale of redemption has made national news this season, and he retold a story Monday afternoon about a vivid dream he had two years ago — he was being interviewed at Yankee Stadium after participating in the Home Run Derby.
“I can say it was a coincidence, but I don’t believe in those,” he said.
Mind you, his dream came while Hamilton was still banned from Major League Baseball, and before this year’s All-Star Game was awarded to the venerable ballpark in its final season.
He had no reason to believe he would ever be in this position. His dream represented to ability to reach the heights he did last night, though he’s still going places. And it’s not for the usual reasons he wants to be there.
“I pray the more successful I am,” he said, “the more people will listen.”
It is not just being here that moves him, but the chance to explain why. Here is an exemplar on the healing power of family and spirituality. A flawed man willing to discuss every wrong turn he took, hoping he can teach someone a lesson from an open book.
Ask him what he was doing three years ago during the All-Star Game, and he wants you to understand. He was probably either drunk, or searching the streets for drugs, or in one of his 24-hour sleeping stupors.
He wants you to know that his addiction led to eight trips to rehab, 26 tattoos, three years away from baseball, and a heartbroken family.
He wants you to see what changed when he found purpose and God, and now owns 11 more RBI than anyone else in the game at the All-Star break.
If you have a loved one in the grips, he hopes you were watching Monday night when he sent a dizzying series of missiles toward Queens. And he hopes you’re watching tonight.
But if you miss it, Hamilton will be providing every opportunity he can to reach out with the hope of grace and redemption.
Ask why people gravitate to his story and he’ll show a grasp for a reality of human nature that Pete Rose and Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds would have been better off understanding.
People want to forgive. But you have to give them a reason.
“I’ve been honest about everything,” he said. “I’ve taken responsibility. I haven’t made excuses. I made mistakes. I don’t know many people who haven’t.”
Monday’s fireworks display came with a story from the past. This was 2006. Hamilton had been sober only a few months. But he went to bed one night, and dreamed.
“I was in the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium,” he said. “I’m not making this stuff up. I didn’t see how I did. I just saw the microphones stuck in my face after I was finished hitting, and I got to share with the people the reasons I was back.”
As the ESPN broadcaster held the mic up to ask him for his last thoughts of the night, he gave the one that counted the most: “I just want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for giving me this opportunity.”