Christian Athletes
Last night’s homerun derby at Yankee Stadium had some very special moments even before the first pitch was lobbed to the plate. In an interview with an espn reporter, Texas Ranger player Josh Hamilton professed in front of 55000 live fans and millions watching television that the reason for his success was the work that Jesus Christ had done in his life. Hamilton’s story is an amazing one, from being the first player picked in the draft in 1999 to a complete collapse under the addiction of heroine, cocaine and alcohol. Josh is not the only story like this in pro sports and it is refreshing to hear him put his testimony out there on a big stage for fans to hear and hopefully reflect upon.
Also surprising was the comment by one of the espn personalities who said ,” it’s a tough night to be an athiest”. This comment was made after Hamilton had smashed the homerun derby record with 28 bombs in one round, and then gave credit to God for his success on and off the field.
Great stuff!
dwillis 07.15.08
Great night watching the HR Derby. My brother and I were amazed watching Hamilton go over 500ft consistently. I especially enjoyed seeing the slow motion pics where you could see the breakdown of his swing. He was mechanically perfect. Love the new website and blog. Did you get a new email address?
I know that this is kind of late but hey, better late than never. My entire life the sport of baseball has been in my blood and has been a big part of my life. I got to do things and accomplish things on the field that a lot of kids only dream of. The owner of this site can testify to this do to the fact that he is responsible for it as a coach, friend, and dad. Well let me rephrase that, he is responsible for the direction and for teaching me how to play the game the right way. The Lord Jesus Christ gave me the ability.
Which brings me to this, I saw something at the 2008 All-Star game that has not been seen in a very long time in an all-star game. There was hustle, effort, determination, and I even saw some passion from players. Why now? Why the did they come to play that night? What was it that made Miguel Tejada steal second base? Was it the “Phenom” Josh Hamilton’s barrage of Mantle-Esq homeruns the night before? Which I might add baled out players like A-Rod and Ortiz that didn’t even enter the competition. Or was it something else? Something that we can’t see, something that we can’t touch, only something that we can feel. It was Yankee Stadium. The only baseball stadium that I know of that a non baseball fan that doesn’t know what a balk or hit & run is, knows about. It’s a place where “mystique and aura appear nightly”. Once again that “mystique and aura” showed its face again with the best players of ‘08 on the field. I think that it might have registered to the players (especially the National League players), that this may be the last time they play in the “House that Ruth built”. Where Gehrig and Ruth use to battle over the right field wall. A place where Mantle would hit a 600 foot bomb in the 3rd inning and lay down a bunt single in the 6th (he got out of the box and down the line in 3.2 seconds. Not bad for a corn-fed white boy from Commerce, Oklahoma). The place where Yogi jumped into the arms of Don Larsen in the ‘56 series after Larson threw the only perfect game in World Series history. The place where Reggie hit 3 pitches off 3 pitchers in the right field bleachers. The place where Joe Dimaggio started his 54 game hitting streak (some people don’t even do that in rec league softball). And of course, the first stadium ever to host November Baseball (2001 World Series as a result of the terrorists attacks in NYC).
The players and coaches were infected by the atmosphere and the surroundings of the most historical venue in all of sports. The 2008 All-Star game was a true All-Star game.
Good site I \”Stumbledupon\” it today and gave it a stumble for you.. looking forward to seeing what else you have..later
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!
I found your blog via Google while searching for athletes foot pictures, thank you for posting an Athletes | The Heart of Sport Blog!