Last night the Texas Rangers won their first-ever postseason series.
And they celebrated with ginger ale.
Why?
Because Josh Hamilton, the Rangers’ star outfielder, graciously refuses to go anywhere near alcohol.
When the Rangers clinched their division in Oakland back in September, as beer and champagne flowed in the visitors’ locker room, Josh changed in a side office and left the clubhouse to go speak to a church group in Oakland about his life and testimony.
But last night, after winning the division series – something the Texas Rangers (and former Washington Senators) had never done – the team made sure it would be a team celebration.
As a show of class, teamwork, and respect, his teammates waited for him to finish an interview for TV, then broke open bottles of Canada Dry when he came inside.
Just before his surprise shower, this is what Hamilton said in the interview: “I’m privileged to be a part of this team. The chemistry was awesome, we love each other and hopefully we can take it to the next level.”
In a moment a few weeks ago, success, sobriety, and celebration all converged in the life of one man of influence. And in that moment, as in so many in the recent past…
…he did more than he had to…
…more often than he wanted to…
…with a larger view in mind.
With a simple, quiet gesture, Josh Hamilton invested his life one more time in his teammates – not by what he did, but by what he didn’t do. And last night, they served notice: We’re paying attention.
What courage and brutal honesty by one man. This was no statement of arrogance, but of humility and sobriety.
What a testimony to that one man’s influence.
What a team.