Friday, June 13, 2008

Someone Worth Rooting for at Shea

One of the great things about interleague play is when players from other teams that you might never get to see, come into town.
When the Texas Rangers visit, Mets fans will get to see the greatest story in baseball, Josh Hamilton.
I love Josh Hamilton so much and want to be just like him that I'm considering developing a drug addiction and getting tattoos of flames on my forearms.



If you haven't read the Sports Illustrated article or seen the Real Sports piece, I'll give you the quick update.
Ten years ago Hamilton was considered one of the best high school baseball prospects ever. But he was a little overprotected by his parents who followed him around the minor leagues. When a car accident injured him and his mom, his parents moved back to Raleigh, leaving him alone in Bradenton, Florida without his parents and with too much time on his hands.
He started hanging around a tattoo parlor, 26 tattoos and a near-deadly drug addiction later, Hamilton finally got clean.
After being out of baseball for 3 years he came back with the Reds last year.
Now he's with the Rangers and on pace for 169 RBI.



He never goes out with teammates, seldom goes out at all, never carries more than $20 in his wallet, and is usually accompanied by his shadow/babysitter/caretaker.



But he's a great guy to root for, especially compared to the rest of the guys at Shea.


3 comments:

Anonymous said...

he's a great guy to root for? sounds like a great role model

Anonymous said...

why not root for peole who were clean their whole lives instead of someone who is a reformed fuck up

Paul said...

There's not a limited number of guys I can root for.
I'm glad he turned his life around and pleased he's taking responsibility for his mistakes and taking steps to make sure he doesn't relapse.
Plus he's really fuckin good.
Maybe Jleary feels more sympathy for Milton Bradley and his temper issues.