Heroes - Josh Hamilton, Clay Council to Star Tonight
by Bob Wage on Jul 14, 2008 2:03 PM EDT
4 comments
I very rarely stray from hockey talk on this blog, but I'm making an exception for this article. There is a local hero doing the right thing tonight and it deserves recognition.
Several years ago Josh Hamilton made a promise to his American Legion batting practice coach back while he was still in high school. Most of us would have forgotten about it or deemed it unnecessary to keep at this point, but Hamilton didn't forget.
About three weeks ago he contacted his old coach, Clay Council, to see if the old friend who used to toss batting practice had anything left in that rubber arm of his. The 71 year-old accepted Hamilton's invitation and is expected to throw for him in tonight's All-Star home run derby.
You see, the promise was that if Hamilton ever made it to the home run derby, he would take Council along to pitch to him.
That moment probably seemed like a lifetime ago to the current American League's leading candidate for MVP honors, but the slugger wasn't able to turn his life around by taking promises lightly.
After being the first selection of the 1999 MLB draft, Hamilton suffered one horrible injury after another, only to sink into the deep, dark abyss of drug abuse. But thanks to faith and hard work, he has risen above all of his old demons and is now on top of the baseball world.
Tonight he will step back in time to when Council used to throw to him on the well-used turf in Cary, North Carolina. They both have evolved since then, from a typical volunteer coach tossing batting practice to a promising youngster, to one hero pitching to another hero on a world stage.
I wouldn't bet against Hamilton winning it tonight.
David Bowie
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I heard the interview that 99.9 had with Council the other day, and it was really special. The guy seems like a true classy guy that is full of character.
Not a baseball fan at all… but I am pulling for Josh
by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 14, 2008 3:04 PM EDT reply actions
I went to Athens, where Josh went to HS and Ill def. be pulling for him and Council tonight. Josh’s story shows the amazing power of God to change lives. Go Josh!
by beachcaniac on Jul 14, 2008 5:31 PM EDT reply actions
That was exciting last night, and I’m not a baseball fan either.
by Bubba on Jul 15, 2008 12:50 AM EDT reply actions
I like the way the N&O said it this morning, “Morneau wins the derby, Hamilton wins the night”. I’ll bet he did have chills up his spine with everyone in Yankee Stadium chanting his name. And that was a pretty good 71-year-old pitcher!
by CaniacMom on Jul 15, 2008 1:32 PM EDT reply actions
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