Friday, October 22, 2010

World Series 2010: John Hamilton, Colby Lewis Story Of Rangers Win Over Yankees

UPDATE: Rangers win means World Series and Super Bowl for Arlington, Texas. 

The Texas Rangers did what was once-considered impossible: they beat the upstart New York Yankees 6 to 1 to earn the right to play in the franchise's first World Series in its history.

 The win was a story of the play of ALCS Series MVP Outfielder John Hamilton and Pitcher Colby Lewis. Hamilton and Lewis were the favorites of baseball fans, especially Josh, who has enjoyed an amazing comeback.

Hamilton Back From Hell

Josh Hamilton has what NetDugout.com's Dan Kirby correctly calls "A dark story" involving drug addiction. One told in this video, part of the "I Am Second" campaign which explains how faith in Jesue Christ helped him:



Drugs and alcohol addiction almost destroyed Hamilton's professional baseball career. He started it in 2001 and, with repeated suspensions, lasted well until 2005, when his grandmother Mary Holt confronted him.  With the exception of one incident in 2009, Hamilton has been clean, and is tested for drug use three times a week, a schedule he reportedly favors as it reassures those who have faith in him. At the end of the win against the New York Yankees, he celebrated by drinking ginger ale.

While Hamilton was fighting the Devil and finding God, pitcher Colby Lewis was playing baseball and then went to Japan for a year with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, where he won awards for strikeouts.

Hamilton and Lewis Drink The Ginger Ale

According to ESPN, Hamilton his four home runs in six games against the Yankees to lead the Texas Rangers to the promised land. Josh batted .350, was walked eight times, and five of them intentionally. Colby Lewis played lights out, Friday, holding the Yankees to one hit in nine at-bats with runners in scoring position. When the game got tight, he reportedly remembered the words of his pitching coach Mike Maddux: "Trust yourself. Commit to the pitch."

Now, Hamilton, Lewis, Texas Rangers Manager Ron Washington, Team President Nolan Ryan, and the rest of the organization are committed to the 2010 World Series. They await the winner of The Giants - Phillies battle, which enters Game 6 Saturday.

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