I know, I promised I was done with baseball talk for a while, but this is big. Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton just won the American League Most Valuable Player award for 2010!
My longtime readers already know a little bit about Josh (I may, or may not, have mentioned him a few 100 times before now), so instead of retyping it all again, I'll just provide links for you to read up on him. For a little background info on Josh, click here. He wrote an autobiography a few years ago called Beyond Belief, where he talked about his drug addiction, being kicked out of baseball, and how his family and faith helped him get back on track. Go here and here for a few reviews of the book. Even if you are not a baseball fan, I highly recommend this book. I can't say enough about it! :)
I really admire Josh. I heard him speak a few weeks ago at First Baptist Dallas. He has an amazing testimony. One of the things I really like about him is that he never misses an opportunity to witness and share the love of Christ with his audience. It doesn't matter if he's being interviewed on national TV by ESPN, TBS or Fox Sports, or if it's just one of the local guys from a Dallas station, ALL the glory goes to God, and that is the first thing he will say. I love it!
Oh, in regards to the Ginger Ale comment in the title. After the Rangers won the first round of the playoffs (the ALDS), his teammates showered him with Ginger Ale. Due to his past history with drugs and alcohol, Josh avoids any contact with alcohol. The team knew he wouldn't participate in the traditional champagne shower, so they had a special Ginger Ale shower just for him. Check out my post here for that story. They did the same thing when they won the ALCS and advanced to the World Series.
The Ginger Ale shower!
Congrats again Josh!! We are so proud of everything you have accomplished, on, and off, the field. God bless! 129 days until Opening Day. Not that I'm counting! :)
This was taken at Fanfest 2009. This was moments before Josh shook my hand (and I turned into a giddy 15 year old girl).
Fanfest 2009. Me talking to Josh as he was signing my copy of his book.
He includes a scripture with every autograph he signs.
Josh's I Am Second video. For more on I Am Second, go here.
Even though he beat out Robinson Cano for MVP, I'm still a Josh Hamilton fan. You're right-- he does have such a great testimony. I loved that they had ginger ale instead of champagne for him!
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