Yay, this will get me all caught up for the A - Z challenge! :)
It's no surprise that I like Josh Hamilton, current center fielder for the Texas Rangers.
Not only is he an amazing athlete, he is a great person as well. If you know baseball you pretty much have an idea about Josh Hamilton and what he is all about. As a kid he was a baseball prodigy. He played little league and got moved up to the big leagues at a very young age. He went straight from high school to the pro's.
What some might not know is the trouble Josh has endured in his past. He got drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. After time in the minors and guidance from his parents, he was finally cut loose from their guidance. He discovered cocaine and became an addict.
Most people eventually gave up on Josh Hamilton, former baseball star. He slowly sank down to nothing, losing his career and family. His grandma and God were his saving grace. He eventually pulled through. After drug rehab and prayer, he is now clean. He still goes to meetings. He speaks at different events and is open about what he has gone through. He has even wrote a book titled "Beyond Belief." I read it in three days.
He is admirable because he isn't ashamed of it. He knows he has to pass on his stories to those who also need help. He is living proof that it is possible to get sober and stay sober. Whether you are an amazing athlete or an everyday average person, getting clean and staying clean is important. The book is an inspiration to everyone, not just addicts. He talks about how no one should give up hope in any situation, drugs or not. There is always a way out of everything.
Back at the beginning of 2009 he had an alcohol relapse, but revealed it to everyone, even his wife. People shunned him, but what most don't understand is that relapse is important in an addicts recovery. They are going to happen. The good news is, his relapse didn't include cocaine and crack. While alcohol can be just as bad, at least he still resisted the other stuff.
I have utmost respect for him. He is my athletic inspiration. :)
A quote he lives by rings true for each of us.
"Resist the devil and he will flee from you." ~ James 4:7
Monday, April 12, 2010
J -- Josh Hamilton
Posted by ModernDayDrifter at 9:25 PM
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4 comments:
Being a big baseball fan myself, of course I know about Josh and his struggles. What I find frightening & fascinating is to wonder (I haven't read much about the road that led him into his addictions). What drives a guy that no one would expect to get mixed up in such things to even messing with things like cocaine?
I mean, I can understand the guys who started fooling around with steroids and such, because they were trying to further their career. But how turned around did Josh have to become at that time to find any upside to trying cocaine for the first time.
Great post!
I've never heard of Josh but you have to admire anyone who can stand up to their demons.
What an amazing journey this guy has taken. I hope he inspires other struggling with their own demons to persevere! Great Post.
Tracy - In his book he explains that he turned to cocaine because for the first time in his life, he wasn't under his parents close watch. When he went to play baseball they were gone and he was "free." He was at a bar one night hanging out and just got sucked into peer pressure. It led to a major addiction. So sad how that happens.
Thanks for the comments!
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