Hamilton Captures The Hearts Of The World With Astounding Home Run Derby Display

I'm sure that most of you are familiar with the inspirational story of the Ranger's Josh Hamilton, and this is just another piece to add to an already unbelievable story of courage, dedication, and willpower that will continue to motivate people for years to come. 

Tuesday night, Yankee Stadium and the 6 foot 4, 235 lb. outfielder for the Texas Rangers is at the plate in the Home Run Derby, in the very last All-Star Game to ever be played at the House that Ruth built.

He waits for his batting practice pitcher, the 71 year old Clay Counsil to deliver a hopefully juicy pitch. Counsil deals and Josh Hamilton hits it 500 feet into the New York night.

The next pitch is no different. He hits another one, then another one, and yet another one. Finally the power surge ends and he has hit 28 home runs in one round.

Suddenly, instead of the chants of "Josh smokes crack", the air was rent with cheers of encouragement and hope.

For a guy who plays on another AL team to win over an entire crowd in the Yankee Stadium, that definitely is an accomplishment!

Some Yankees go an entire career without winning the home crowd over, and many are boo-ed for their efforts.

But the story of Josh Hamilton has reached the ears of most of the crowd, and now they want him to win more badly then he wants to.

They want him to win because he is a beacon of hope for not only addicts, but for people that think that they have nowhere to go in their lives, and that they missed their one big chance.

Josh Hamilton is an inspiration to all people who have heard his story.

Even though he was eventually beaten by Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, in everybodys' minds, Josh was the real winner.

I mean, Morneau even pointed to Hamilton after it was over, signifying that Josh Hamilton was the real winner. 

A story of this magnitude may never come along again in our lifetimes, and we should appreciate the tale of this remarkable man while we have the chance.

He is a gift from God, with the card reading, "Never give up! Never give up! Never give up!"