Test of Friendship

      This year the  Texas Ranger's season has been nothing short of miraculous already.  The post-season is not over yet and the Ranger's have done something they had never done in franchise history, win a playoff divisional series.  This came against Tampa Bay in a critical game five.  What is more miraculous than win itself, was the teams post game celebration, that goes deeper than any win itself.
       The Ranger's are not a team filled with high profile athletes like the Yankees or Red Sox, but a team of hungry youth ready to prove themselves in the big leagues.  Yeah the Rangers have two high class athletes in Cliff Lee, and Josh Hamilton, but if not for them would fans outside of Texas know who's on the team(probably not). This team though has something different about them, something deeper, something rarely seen in professional sports, more astounding than winning itself.  A bond that goes way deeper than the game itself.  Friendship, something the players of this organization possess.  Nothing goes deeper than a Man-Bond.  A man's best friends are the most important people in their lives.  More than just teammates on the field, they're great friends off and this was proven in their post-game celebration after winning ALDS.

       It starts years ago when Josh Hamilton came into the league.  He was the number one overall pick of the 1999 draft by the Tamp Bay Devil Rays.  He was destined for stardom, destined for greatness.  Before he could fulfill this destiny, he experienced great failure, and depression.  This came with an extreme battle against drug addiction and alcoholism  During this team he faced extreme lows, even being suspended from the game he loved.  It was thought by all the fans that, that was it for Hamilton.  He was said to be a waste of God given talent, and ability.  In 2006 his drug addiction was at an all-time worst when he showed up at his grandmother's house at two in the morning.  Its been since that night though, that Hamilton has gotten back on the straight and narrow, and fulfilling his destiny.  He has put together one of the most remarkable comebacks of all time.  A true and great American story.  He is the main reason why the Rangers can celebrate, leading the team into the playoffs.

         Now with Hamilton a part of this outstanding Rangers team, it has become more than a team.  It's a group of friend, grown men, doing what they love, and loving who they are doing it with.  The Rangers first post-season series win is much deeper than just a win.  Its about overcoming adversity, and staying together.  After the Rangers made it into the post-season, they celebrated with alcohol.  Hamilton could not be a part of this celebration, being a recovering alcoholic, he did not want to slip up and take a step back.  His friends realized he was not a part of that celebration and understood why, but they vowed to make sure Hamilton could be a part of the next.
          When the Rangers beat the Rays in a critical game five of the ALDS, it was time to celebrate once more.  The only question, would Hamilton be a part of it?   His teammates made sure of it, when they celebrated ginger ale, instead of champagne or beer.   They knew that Hamilton wouldn't take part in the celebration if alcohol were present.  The other players wanted their friend there to celebrate with them, after-all he was much of the reason for their success.
        In today's world it is hard to find friends of this stature.  People today, even close friends can do some pretty messed up things, and screw you over.  I have been both a victim, and culprit of this.  To this day I am still trying to mend some of my lost friendships.  It just so hard to find good friends in this world, luckily I have been blessed with a great group of friends.  People that will drop what they're doing to help me out if I need it.  If I screw them over they find a way to forgive me, even if it takes a little time.  They know I would do the same for them.
       This is why the Ranger's post-game celebration speaks to me so much.  The character of those players in that organization, are some of the most caring, and stand-up people I have ever seen, especially in the professional sports world.  There are few things that can last forever.  Friendship is one of these, and its those friendships that will always stand through the test, the world puts on them.