Tuesday, July 15, 2008
I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES.
I used to be on an endless run
Believe in miracles ‘cause I’m one
I have been blessed with the power to survive
After all these years I’m still alive…
There’s a Ramones song that’s a big favorite of mine. It’s not one of the songs that everyone, including my mother, would know, it’s not “Rockaway Beach” or “Blitzkrieg Bop” or anything that you’d hear on a commercial or played at a Yankees game. The song is called “I Believe In Miracles,” and if you know the name of the album it was on without Googling, you’re definitely a diehard, because it came out in 1989, long after what’s historically considered their heyday (if they even had one, which is both a shame and a national tragedy).
I thought of this song as I watched Josh Hamilton tonight. In the world of rock and roll, we are accustomed to losing and ruining our best and brightest. Addiction and abuse is glorified and saluted, and no one ever believes that someone has conquered their demons and made it through to the other side, it seems like too many people are waiting for them to slip and fall again. Josh Hamilton could have gone the way of many, but he didn’t. He came back when no one would have ever believed it. And watching him tonight, thinking of the the people who gave him a chance and the people who stood by him, listening to that jaded Yankee-centric crowd show they really do have a heart, was awe-inspiring. Feeling as one with every single person who sat on the edge of their couches at home, rooting for him, should have made the most jaded curmudgeon a little misty. The fact that this was a dream that he’d had, but had never been brave enough to tell anyone about made it an even better story, and watching him trying to hit one out onto the IRT tracks, after he sat in the press conference and told everyone he was going to do it is a story that should make anyone feel better about life.
I’m just sorry he didn’t do it.
Yeah, Justin Morneau won - and it couldn’t have gone to a nicer guy - but tomorrow morning, everyone in the subway and the bus and the playgrounds and the diners and the lunchrooms and the water coolers is going to be talking about Josh Hamilton. And maybe there is some guy or gal out there struggling with their own addiction who might just feel a little bit of strength from it. Maybe some people I know, maybe some people you know.
So Josh, this one’s for you.
Eddie Vedder & Zeke cover “I Believe In Miracles” [mp3, 3.1mb]
I know…I was mezmorized by Hamilton’s show as well…and his story is inspiring. I would have been happy had he won.
But being a Twins fan, I was thrilled to see Morneau win. Did we hear anything of his story? Nope. Hell, the State Farm corporate drone couldn’t even come up with the right first name (It’s Justin, not Jason, thank you very much). Um, this guy was the 2006 AL MVP…did anyone even mention that? Probably not, cause those Yankees fans thought he stole it from Jeters (another time Morneau didn’t get his due).
Morneau is a good guy, who always plays hard, gives back to the community…He does represent what is good about baseball. He is loyal to his team and his fans. I’m not saying that Hamilton isn’t the same,but Morneau without the dramatic backdrop was not the network’s story last night.
Morneau didn’t write the rules. He just played the game and came out the winner.
Who can fault him for that?