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MLB ALL STAR GIVES GOD GLORY IN RECORD HR DERBY	Awesomepower
	Jul 15, 2008 18:41 PDT

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Josh Hamilton's Unbelievable Night at the Home Run Derby

Aimee Herd (July 15, 2008)

"It's amazing what God's done in my life, and how quickly He's done it."

One night, two years ago, Josh Hamilton-center fielder for the Texas
Rangers-had a dream. In it, he was being interviewed after taking part in
the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium.

When asked about that very dream, which had seemingly come true Monday
night, he answered, "I can say it was a coincidence, but I don't believe in
those."

Josh doesn't waste his time on the possibilities of "coincidence" because
he's been touched by a force vastly more tangible, infinitely more
powerful-the hand of God.

Josh Hamilton at the Home Run Derby 2008"It's amazing what God's done in my
life, and how quickly He's done it," Josh said after his historical round in
the "house that Ruth built." (Photo: MLB.com)

You see, when Josh had his dream of the Home Run Derby two years ago, he was
still banned from major league baseball due to the tyranny of addiction
which had come to rule his life.

To gain the full, remarkable scope of Josh's story of redemption, one must
flashback to 1999, when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays chose him as a number 1
draft pick right out of high school. His career looked promising until,
after sustaining injuries from a car wreck in 2001, he was distracted by the
lure of drugs and alcohol.

Before long Josh's life was spiraling out of control. He separated from his
wife, and began pawning off things to feed his cocaine habit and fund his
numerous tattoos.

"I went down this road where I never seemed to laugh or cry," remembers
Josh.

That road eventually left him desolate on his grandmother's doorstep, but it
was there that his turnaround began.

Eight trips to rehab later, and holding firm in his new-found faith in the
Lord, Josh was reinstated to baseball in June of 2006, after eight months of
sobriety. Playing at the lowest rung of the Minor Leagues, he was traded to
Cincinnati, then to the Texas Rangers where, this season, he has already
accrued 21 home runs and leads the American League in runs-batted-in (RBI).

But Monday night, Josh Hamilton-and all of Yankee Stadium-saw the dream God
had given him become reality. Josh made history when, in the first round of
the Home Run Derby, he sent 28 sailing baseballs into the stands, 13 of them
in a row. These were LONG balls in the first degree, with three home runs
reaching better than 500 feet-the greatest distance a whopping 518 feet; the
third longest drive in history. And, though his final round count was not
enough to surpass that of Derby winner Justin Morneau, the night was all
about Josh; his inspired swings causing Yankee stadium's 53,716 fans to
erupt in chants of his name.

It was obvious, however, what was really "brought home" for Josh was the way
God had pulled him from the fire, and set him back on course in a life of
purpose. Part of that today is speaking to young people; warning them to
stay away from drugs and alcohol, and bringing a message of hope to those
who've already made that mistake.

Though Josh has tried to have the many tattoos that cover his body removed
for the sordid past they represent, he's reportedly found the process too
painful and is resigned to living with them. But there is one tattoo-a new
one-that he will not remove. A depiction of Jesus Christ on the back of his
leg; a symbol of victory over addiction.

"It's like he's standing behind me, plugged into me," says Josh. "I'm not
one of those guys who talks about God just because it sounds good. It's
because he changed my life."

To watch an ESPN video report on Josh's inspiring night at the Home Run
Derby, follow the source link provided.

Source:
<http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?categoryId=2521705&bran
d=null&videoId=3487801&n8pe6c=3> ESPN, Christian Post

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src="cid:image0-@01C8E6AA.5ECAFFD0"><o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Josh
Hamilton's Unbelievable Night at the Home Run <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Derby</st1:City></st1:place><o:p></o:p>

Aimee Herd (July 15, 2008)<o:p></o:p>

"It's amazing what God's done in my
life, and how quickly He's done it."<o:p></o:p>

One
night, two years ago, Josh Hamilton—center fielder for the Texas
Rangers—had a dream. In it, he was being interviewed after taking part in
the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium.<o:p></o:p>

When
asked about that very dream, which had seemingly come true Monday night, he
answered, "I can say it was a coincidence, but I don't believe in
those." <o:p></o:p>

Josh
doesn't waste his time on the possibilities of "coincidence" because
he's been touched by a force vastly more tangible, infinitely more
powerful—the hand of God. <o:p></o:p>

<![if !vml]><img width=155 height=107
src="cid:image0-@01C8E6AA.5ECAFFD0" align=left hspace=20
alt="Josh Hamilton at the Home Run Derby 2008" v:shapes="_x0000_s1026"><![endif]>"It's
amazing what God's done in my life, and how quickly He's done it," Josh
said after his historical round in the "house that Ruth built." (Photo: MLB.com)<o:p></o:p>

You
see, when Josh had his dream of the Home Run Derby two years ago, he was still
banned from major league baseball due to the tyranny of addiction which had
come to rule his life.<o:p></o:p>

To
gain the full, remarkable scope of Josh's story of redemption, one must
flashback to 1999, when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays chose him as a number 1 draft
pick right out of high school. His career looked promising until, after
sustaining injuries from a car wreck in 2001, he was distracted by the lure of
drugs and alcohol.<o:p></o:p>

Before
long Josh's life was spiraling out of control. He separated from his wife, and
began pawning off things to feed his cocaine habit and fund his numerous
tattoos.<o:p></o:p>

"I
went down this road where I never seemed to laugh or cry," remembers Josh.<o:p></o:p>

That
road eventually left him desolate on his grandmother's doorstep, but it was
there that his turnaround began. <o:p></o:p>

Eight
trips to rehab later, and holding firm in his new-found faith in the Lord, Josh
was reinstated to baseball in June of 2006, after eight months of sobriety.
Playing at the lowest rung of the Minor Leagues, he was traded to <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cincinnati</st1:place></st1:City>, then to the
Texas Rangers where, this season, he has already accrued 21 home runs and leads
the American League in runs-batted-in (RBI). <o:p></o:p>

But
Monday night, Josh Hamilton—and all of Yankee Stadium—saw the dream
God had given him become reality. Josh made history when, in the first round of
the Home Run Derby, he sent 28 sailing baseballs into the stands, 13 of them in
a row. These were LONG balls in the first degree, with three home runs reaching
better than 500 feet—the greatest distance a whopping 518 feet; the third
longest drive in history. And, though his final round count was not enough to
surpass that of Derby winner Justin Morneau, the night was all about Josh; his
inspired swings causing Yankee stadium's 53,716 fans to erupt in chants of his
name. <o:p></o:p>

It
was obvious, however, what was really "brought home" for Josh was the
way God had pulled him from the fire, and set him back on course in a life of
purpose. Part of that today is speaking to young people; warning them to stay
away from drugs and alcohol, and bringing a message of hope to those who've
already made that mistake.<o:p></o:p>

Though
Josh has tried to have the many tattoos that cover his body removed for the
sordid past they represent, he's reportedly found the process too painful and
is resigned to living with them. But there is one tattoo—a new
one—that he will not remove. A depiction of Jesus Christ on the back of
his leg; a symbol of victory over addiction.<o:p></o:p>

"It's
like he's standing behind me, plugged into me," says Josh. "I'm not
one of those guys who talks about God just because it sounds good. It's because
he changed my life." <o:p></o:p>

To watch an ESPN video
report on Josh's inspiring night at the Home Run <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Derby</st1:place></st1:City>, follow the source link provided.<o:p></o:p>

Source: <a
href="http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?categoryId=2521705&;brand=null&videoId=3487801&n8pe6c=3"
target="_blank"
title="http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?categoryId=2521705&;brand=null&videoId=3487801&n8pe6c=3">ESPN, Christian Post </a><o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

</div>

</body>

</html>

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