Tattoos and glory

Yes. Two posts in one day. Don't hate me, but after last night's magical performance at the All-Star game's home run derby, I can't help myself. Ladies... you should read this any way.

After my love affair with baseball became rekindled a couple years ago (courtesy Red Sox) the game became marred with cheating and substance abuse. To put it simply, my heroes were erased.

Last night baseball (and I) got a new hero... and not because he can launch a ball 500+ feet. Not because he broke the single round record with 28 home runs. Not because he honored his 71 year-old friend and former coach to pitch to him. Because he represents everything wrong-made-right in baseball...and life.

Today, baseball journalist Peter Gammons wrote about Hamilton and others like him, "We are reminded that baseball can help us remember what we stand for, not against, what we believe, not what we fear, and that while we learn from the past, what we all want is to open the door to the future."

Baseball...and millions of kids need a Josh Hamilton. And this tattooed North Carolinian -- with a stained past and a bright future -- might just be this kid's newest hero.

Read his story here and cheer for him tonight.