My Thoughts on The Hero, Josh Hamilton
If you have been anywhere near ESPN the past couple days, then you undoubtedly have heard the “heroic” tale of Texas Ranger outfielder Josh Hamilton. Over the first half of the season, he has been the MVP of the American League. On Monday, he marveled the nation with a homerun power display for the ages. All of this is coming just a couple years after he was out of baseball altogether with a terrible infliction. In my eyes, the big comeback doesn’t warrant the emotions portrayed in this weeks All-Start events. Hamilton is no Superman, but I know his kryptonite.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester threw a no-hitter earlier this year. He is a cancer survivor and made it back to the top of his profession. That is no doubt a very significant triumph. Packer great Brett Favre played (and won) just days after his father died. That is an impressive feat that should be applauded and marveled at. Josh Hamilton overcame a cocaine and heroin addiction and is now one of the best in the game of baseball. Do you see a difference between the first 2 examples and the 3rd example?
Why is a man that involved himself in bottom of the barrel criminal activity now being heralded as a top notch ambassador of the game? Why are we standing in awe of him because he overcame something that he should have never been involved with in the first place? It doesn’t add up to me.
Comedian Chris Rock said it best: “(people) always want credit for some [expletive] they supposed to do.”
That’s kind of how I see this situation. Hamilton probably deserves to be sitting in jail with the hundreds and thousands of drug users all across our country’s prison system. But no, he is earning millions playing a game for a living and being cheered by thousands as a role model. It all seems backwards to me.
I am sure Hamilton is a great guy that has learned many valuable lessons over the past few years. He has more than likely reformed his ways totally and completely cleaned up is act. That huge baseball contract is quite the carrot at the end of the stick, after all. I give him credit for all of this and wish him well in a safe and happy life. Addiction is a very difficult thing to overcome… so props to you Josh. None of this, however, means we should treat him like a hero. Save those delegations for those that really deserve it.
I am curious to hear what the Mestew Nation has to say on this…
6 Comments so far
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I admit that he did pu on an impressive display. My one question is, how deep is the right field wall at Yankee Stadium, 250? I had deeper fences at Eastwood. I think Mark Molohan would have had a field day too.
By publei1 on 07.17.08 7:25 am
While I was watching and listening to the announcers, I had a feeling…..no, I hoped you would comment on this. Partly, because I agree completely. Is Josh Hamilton a good guy? He seems like it. Did he overcome something major? Yes. Congratulations. But, he put himself in that situation. (Not that we have ever heard him try to make excuses or shift the blame) Good story yes, but hero no. Can good come from his situation? Absolutely. It does show how drugs can ruin (or very nearly) a person’s life. It just gets old when the media gets a hold of something like this and pounds it until we beg for mercy.
By the way. Ryan Ludwick in the all-star game. Who would of thought…..not the G.O.L.P. And to have Carlos Guillen make him look a bit silly in left… oh, the memories!
By The Technician on 07.17.08 9:38 am
There’s nothing heroic at all about any of the people you mentioned. Lester is a cancer survivor. Favre was dealing with his grief in the best way he knew how. Hamilton overcame an addiction. If you want heroes, walk thru Arlington National Cemetery. The word ‘hero’ is sadly overused in this country. If you want heroes, visit Ground Zero. Visit any police/fire station. You won’t find heroes in ballparks.
By John on 07.17.08 11:43 am
John, you are a man of sports, so I am somewhat surprised by your comment. I agree, but I am surprised. I’m sure you have some “sports heros”, don’t you?
By estew on 07.17.08 12:16 pm
The best part was the next day when they were talking about some of the greatest moments in Yankee Stadium history and I think it was Gammons (Don’t quote me on this but I am pretty sure it was Gammons) said that Josh Hamilton’s home run derby display was one of the greatest memories of his in Yankee Stadium. By the way Hamilton lost and there are 1000’s more greater memories than this one. I give the man his props he put on a show and it was amazing but he didn’t win! I agree great story…but a hero to me no!
By Smitty on 07.18.08 8:01 am
Yeah Eric, I am a man of sports. There have been athletes I’ve admired and as a kid, worshipped, but as I grew to be an adult I realized that classifying a guy who hit prodigious home runs or could throw touchdown passes as a hero, was really misdirected. I still admire my favorite ballplayers, but don’t look upon them as ‘heroes’ anymore. I reserve that for someone who truely deserves it.
By John on 07.18.08 2:50 pm
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