July 15, 200818 yr We're all watching the Derby. Doesn't anyone else find it funny how everyone is calling Josh Hamilton a "great story?" Does he deserve credit for overcoming his drug problem? Yes. But...he did take drugs...right? Meanwhile, other players who have NEVER been caught for taking drugs...aren't "better stories?" What about Dan Uggla? Performed in the minors, yet the DBacks had prospects who they thought were better...Uggla was selected by the Marlins in the Rule V Draft, and has worked his tail off to get to the big leagues, I'm sure...not a big deal? Uggla should've told ESPN he took some weed...he'd probably have the advantage of going last now, since he would've been such a "great story." In a society where the motto is, "Say No To Drugs" (supposedly), Hamilton is getting more credit than the other guys, when he actually took drugs, in the first place. Forgive the other players for not making the dumb decisions he made when he was younger. The other players' stories are, most likely, just as good.
July 15, 200818 yr Author I'd tell 'ya what's great...his talent. That was amazing. Btw, they mentioned Jeff Allison, I think.
July 15, 200818 yr Author Oh god... Your best post ever. This thread fails times 100000000. May I ask why? B/c Hamilton overcame a problem he created for himself, in the first place? This is like giving Jeff Allison more credit for his comeback, than Anibal Sanchez, who actually had a real reason for his setback. If I took drugs...I'd get my little butt whooped. The only reason Hamilton is a great story now is b/c yes, he actually made a good choice as he became more mature...but first and foremost b/c of his godly talent. His story is no better than the guys who actually set themselves for a good future (NOT taking drugs...ALSO battling to get to the big leagues). Fact is, Hamilton is the player on the field, with the most talent. That's why he got more than a 2nd chance at the big leagues. He's not a "great story," he's just fortunate to have such unique talent. Any other person would've gotten cut, and would've been recognized as a bum, right now...Hamilton just has great talent.
July 15, 200818 yr It's a great story because Josh Hamilton proved to us that heroin make you extremely powerful.
July 15, 200818 yr Oh god... Your best post ever. This thread fails times 100000000. May I ask why? B/c Hamilton overcame a problem he created for himself, in the first place? This is like giving Jeff Allison more credit for his comeback, than Anibal Sanchez, who actually had a real reason for his setback. If I took drugs...I'd get my little butt whooped. The only reason Hamilton is a great story now is b/c yes, he actually made a good choice as he became more mature...but first and foremost b/c of his godly talent. His story is no better than the guys who actually set themselves for a good future (NOT taking drugs...ALSO battling to get to the big leagues). Fact is, Hamilton is the player on the field, with the most talent. That's why he got more than a 2nd chance at the big leagues. He's not a "great story," he's just fortunate to have such unique talent. Any other person would've gotten cut, and would've been recognized as a bum, right now...Hamilton just has great talent. It's like you said: Hamilton overcame a problem he created for himself. Hamilton has great talent. Hamilton is now realizing that great talent, despite creating a problem for himself that kills most people. Hamilton is now a role model in an organization that shouldn't have role models, and he might save someone's life because he is still alive. If he saves one person's life by making them choose to give up a killer drug, then yea...his story should be celebrated more than Anibal Sanchez coming back from an injury.
July 15, 200818 yr Oh god... Your best post ever. This thread fails times 100000000. May I ask why? B/c Hamilton overcame a problem he created for himself, in the first place? This is like giving Jeff Allison more credit for his comeback, than Anibal Sanchez, who actually had a real reason for his setback. If I took drugs...I'd get my little butt whooped. The only reason Hamilton is a great story now is b/c yes, he actually made a good choice as he became more mature...but first and foremost b/c of his godly talent. His story is no better than the guys who actually set themselves for a good future (NOT taking drugs...ALSO battling to get to the big leagues). Fact is, Hamilton is the player on the field, with the most talent. That's why he got more than a 2nd chance at the big leagues. He's not a "great story," he's just fortunate to have such unique talent. Any other person would've gotten cut, and would've been recognized as a bum, right now...Hamilton just has great talent. Ok Erick, I'll tell you why this is a great story... Josh Hamilton did make the wrong choice to go down the path he did... HE also came back from being 180 pounds, not seeing MLB pitching for what, 3 years? And has become one of the best hitters in the game... easily... My Uncle was one of the best pitching prospects in Pennsylvania history, he threw 95 mph, left handed, side armed, nasty curveball the whole 9 yards... blew out his arm once, and then turned to drugs... HE NEVER RECOVERED... Josh Hamilton not only recovered, but he's also become a role-model for everyone that's made his mistakes, and is speaking against it... he didn't just move on, he's making amends for his mistake... it's absolutely foolish to not be in awe of how this guy has gone from the brink of death at his own hands to saving lives.... I dunno about anyone else, but tonight, Josh Hamilton has become one of my heroes, one of those guys that I can look up to, yes, Uggla put in a lot of work, as did every other MLB player, but the work, emotionally, mentally, spiritually that Hamilton has put in, the way this just seems like divine fate that he should dream about this exact moment, if you can't see why this is more special than ANYTHING else on that field, you're not watching the same thing I am
July 15, 200818 yr It's a great story because Josh Hamilton proved to us that heroin make you extremely powerful. :lol Seriously, this is a good story but they've made it pretty annoying.
July 15, 200818 yr Author Btw, I'd just like to say one thing...and hope it doesn't get deleted. There was a reason for Hamilton's taking drugs...his mom and sister had a horrible death. Clearly, that had something to do with it. My problem, however, is that the media can twist everything around and make it a good thing for one guy, and bad for another. You know who also had a TERRIBLE childhood? Josh Hamilton's teammate...Milton Bradley. Yet, Bradley is viewed as a bad guy for things he's done, when in fact, his parents didn't even care about him. How come Milton Bradley isn't viewed as a "great story?" Bradley has turned his career around in Texas, just like Hamilton. They are BOTH all-stars this year. That's my main problem, here. Why is it an exception for only certain people?
July 15, 200818 yr Btw, I'd just like to say one thing...and hope it doesn't get deleted. Why would this be deleted? That's my main problem, here. Why is it an exception for only certain people? Why does it have to be a problem how somebody else paints different players? Why do you care about other people's opinions? It's just that...their opinions on a person. Have your own. BTW: If Bradley had been away from baseball from three years and came back, started being a role model and helping out as many as he could and then did something record setting on the national stage, I'm sure he would get just as many props from the announcers/media/whoever. When that happens and he doesn't get the props, start complaining. Until then...the two aren't comparable.
July 15, 200818 yr Btw, I'd just like to say one thing...and hope it doesn't get deleted. There was a reason for Hamilton's taking drugs...his mom and sister had a horrible death. Clearly, that had something to do with it. My problem, however, is that the media can twist everything around and make it a good thing for one guy, and bad for another. You know who also had a TERRIBLE childhood? Josh Hamilton's teammate...Milton Bradley. Yet, Bradley is viewed as a bad guy for things he's done, when in fact, his parents didn't even care about him. How come Milton Bradley isn't viewed as a "great story?" Bradley has turned his career around in Texas, just like Hamilton. They are BOTH all-stars this year. That's my main problem, here. Why is it an exception for only certain people? Josh Hamilton kept his negativity to himself, he never got into any of the on-field altercations or spectacles that Bradley has had, specifically that one in Los Angeles comes to mind... Yes, Bradley has turned himself around since tweaking his knee in San Diego, but there's NO DOUBT Hamilton's story is the better story, there's no twist on it, when Hamilton was in his self dug pit he got all the criticism in the world "Why can't he put it together, he's too talented for this" "The Devil Rays wasted a pick on this guy..." ad infinitum... now he's rightfully earned this...
July 15, 200818 yr Erick, you make a lot of good posts, but this is by far your worst. Close this thread before you embarrass yourself even more.
July 15, 200818 yr Author Btw, I'd just like to say one thing...and hope it doesn't get deleted. Why would this be deleted? That's my main problem, here. Why is it an exception for only certain people? Why does it have to be a problem how somebody else paints different players? Why do you care about other people's opinions? It's just that...their opinions on a person. Have your own. BTW: If Bradley had been away from baseball from three years and came back, started being a role model and helping out as many as he could and then did something record setting on the national stage, I'm sure he would get just as many props from the announcers/media/whoever. When that happens and he doesn't get the props, start complaining. Until then...the two aren't comparable. you could make a case for Bradley being a hero to foster children. Why not? He started with nothing, and has become a MLB player. Just b/c Hamilton spent 3 years away from the game, shouldn't make it better. They both had rough childhoods. Hamilton took drugs, and Bradley didn't. That was the difference. How does that make Hamilton better?
July 15, 200818 yr Author Erick, you make a lot of good posts, but this is by far your worst. Close this thread before you embarrass yourself even more. I disagree. It's a message board, and an opinion. You have yours and I have mine. The media has theirs. We live in a free country. And again, why don't people make Bradley out to be the same story? You got an answer to that? I'd like to hear your opinion.
July 15, 200818 yr Erick, you make a lot of good posts, but this is by far your worst. Close this thread before you embarrass yourself even more. I disagree. It's a message board, and an opinion. You have yours and I have mine. The media has theirs. We live in a free country. And again, why don't people make Bradley out to be the same story? You got an answer to that? I'd like to hear your opinion. Why do you care so much what other people think? Why can't you just make Bradley the bigger story, and let other people have their opinions.
July 15, 200818 yr Erick, you make a lot of good posts, but this is by far your worst. Close this thread before you embarrass yourself even more. I disagree. It's a message board, and an opinion. You have yours and I have mine. The media has theirs. We live in a free country. And again, why don't people make Bradley out to be the same story? You got an answer to that? I'd like to hear your opinion. Why argue over which it is a better story? Why compare?
July 15, 200818 yr Author Erick, you make a lot of good posts, but this is by far your worst. Close this thread before you embarrass yourself even more. I disagree. It's a message board, and an opinion. You have yours and I have mine. The media has theirs. We live in a free country. And again, why don't people make Bradley out to be the same story? You got an answer to that? I'd like to hear your opinion. Why do you care so much what other people think? Why can't you just make Bradley the bigger story, and let other people have their opinions. I have an opinion. When you disagree with something, you're entitled to say so (especially on a message board). It's what journalists do all the time. State opinions. I'm stating mine...and asking why you think the media views it differently. The media has the right to say whatever they want...so do you...so do I. Not as if I'm making up facts. I'm simply stating an opinion, and even supporting it with an analogy. This is nothing against Hamilton, either. I was rooting for him, in that last round, for what it's worth.
July 15, 200818 yr you could make a case for Bradley being a hero to foster children. Why not? He started with nothing, and has become a MLB player. Just b/c Hamilton spent 3 years away from the game, shouldn't make it better. They both had rough childhoods. Hamilton took drugs, and Bradley didn't. That was the difference. How does that make Hamilton better? A) That rags to riches story is FAR more common than what Josh Hamilton is going through... B) HAMILTON ALMOST DIED C) Bradley has thrown MULTIPLE hissy fits on-field and has made a spectacle of himself negatively numerous times, hardly a "role model" until very recently D) Hamilton speaks out against his mistakes and has been completely selfless about his success, saying it goes to everyone EXCEPT him
July 15, 200818 yr Author Erick, you make a lot of good posts, but this is by far your worst. Close this thread before you embarrass yourself even more. I disagree. It's a message board, and an opinion. You have yours and I have mine. The media has theirs. We live in a free country. And again, why don't people make Bradley out to be the same story? You got an answer to that? I'd like to hear your opinion. Why argue over which it is a better story? Why compare? Why compare? You're right... However...people in the media make Hamilton out to be a hero. Just about everyone considers Bradley to be a loser. That's my point. If you're gonna say nice things on Hamilton, don't make him the exception. There are many great stories in this All-Star Game; not just Hamilton.
July 15, 200818 yr Author C) Bradley has thrown MULTIPLE hissy fits on-field and has made a spectacle of himself negatively numerous times, hardly a "role model" until very recently "until very recently..." exactly. He's seemed to turn it around this year, in Texas. Yet, the major news on him this year (despite his very good year) was a KC announcer comparing him to Hamilton, saying he should realize what Hamilton has done, and finally turn his life around. Is that even right? Plus...last I checked, Hamilton turned his life around...not so long ago, either.
July 15, 200818 yr "until very recently..." exactly. He's seemed to turn it around this year, in Texas. Yet, the major news on him this year (despite his very good year) was a KC announcer comparing him to Hamilton, saying he should realize what Hamilton has done, and finally turn his life around. Is that even right? Plus...last I checked, Hamilton turned his life around...not so long ago, either. Did you ever think that maybe being around Josh Hamilton was the impetus for Bradley's sudden change? I'm sure Milton would admit to that, as well as anyone he played with in Cinci and Texas... Fact is, Hamilton's story is rightfully and deservedly the bigger story... therefore it gets more play and air time... that's the answer to your question
July 15, 200818 yr Erick, you make a lot of good posts, but this is by far your worst. Close this thread before you embarrass yourself even more. I disagree. It's a message board, and an opinion. You have yours and I have mine. The media has theirs. We live in a free country. And again, why don't people make Bradley out to be the same story? You got an answer to that? I'd like to hear your opinion. Why argue over which it is a better story? Why compare? Why compare? You're right... However...people in the media make Hamilton out to be a hero. Just about everyone considers Bradley to be a loser. That's my point. If you're gonna say nice things on Hamilton, don't make him the exception. There are many great stories in this All-Star Game; not just Hamilton. Ok, I think I understand what you're saying. But based on what you said in your original post, Hamilton is less of a hero just because he did drugs. It's not about whether he did drugs or not, It's about how he overcame such a low point of his life and is now at the top. It's a true underdog story, and you are basically trying to diminish it just because he took drugs.
July 15, 200818 yr I don't wish this on anybody, but maybe I just have more insight on it having a very similar story in my family with a completely different outcome to the story... I guess I can't expect everyone to see it that way, but I have, and really, it's that much more amazing
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