“It’s a bad night to be an atheist” – Rick Reilly, July 14, 2008
This particular nugget of arrogance came from the beacon of sports journalism himself after the ESPN announcing team exhausted all reliable descriptions of amazement while Hamilton was punishing the rawhide, leaving the crew to spit Hyperbole like a prompter-less (and retarded) politician.
Yes Rick, all atheists have been following Josh Hamilton, attempting to bring failure and relapse upon him through witchcraft and blasphemy. They’ve put chotch in his coffee and heroin in his fondue. Hamilton voodoo dolls are best-sellers in the underground Atheishops poisoning your community. But now that Mr. Hamilton has broken Derby records, Josh’s relapse will obviously not happen. The tight-knit atheist community has failed. They will now acknowledge the existence of your savior, dwell on the sentimental, and preach to the ignorant.
Reilly’s comment is infuriating for the number of falsities it evokes: 1, Atheists hate Josh Hamilton, 2 Atheists hate Home Runs, 3 Atheists hate believers hitting Home Runs, 4, Atheists LOOOOVE Drugs, 5, Only the pious can kick habits, and finally, 6, Atheists congregate to sabotage the life of Josh Hamilton and every other practicing member of organized religion.
Reilly, unlike Religion, being an atheist is not life-defining. It’s a footnote. To me, it seems like little more than uncomfortable party fodder. No one is proudly claiming to be an Atheist or basing their REAL-LIFE decisions upon their LAW-SUPPORTED choice not to worship or others’ LAW-SUPPORTED choice to. As much as the idiotic Reilly believes, Atheism does not revolve around the systematic sabotage of organized religion.
Whatever. Keep up the hypocrisy. The worst thing about Reilly’s comment is the complete disregard it shows for Hamilton’s family and friends. You know, the earthly presence that guided and supported Hamilton through his recovery. As much as Reilly believes Jesus was the one suffering from Hamilton’s addiction, this is more than likely not the case. Actual people suffered and struggled through the worst and best of Hamilton’s demise and recovery. While it would be fucking awesome if Jesus himself convinced Hamilton to stop doing blow, I kind of doubt he did. His wife, mother, father, brothers, sisters, and friends were paramount during his realization of his problem and the presumed horrendous rehabilitation period that followed. They deserve all the credit in the world* for what Josh Hamilton has achieved these past two seasons. His new-found belief was inspired by their benevolence. Though granted, I’m sure Jesus was giving a big Thumbs Up from his Deluxe Apartment in the Sky**.
This shit sounds like a WWE call out. Ya I see you Atheists. I see you peddling smack on the corner of the Rangers’ hotel. You know what? Rick Reilly don’t play dat. You know what he’s gonna do? Tell God to rig the Derby. Ya, no Devil-Worshippers winning this Derby, no sir. You know what he’s gonna do then? Rub it in that minuscule sub-culture’s face!!! YAAAAA, and you who’s next on the Reilly’s denouncing list? The Gays!!! OHHH YAAAA.
It’s similar to proclaiming “It’s a bad nite to be a Jew” after Ryan Braun was eliminated or “Fuck You Canucks!!!” after Morneau was pummeled. Leave beliefs, race and nationality out of it. It’s the FUCKING HOME RUN DERBY. Just enjoy it. Don’t use Hamilton’s incredible accomplishment as a soapbox to criticize and divide. Everyone enjoys Home Runs. Everyone respects Redemption. And I hope after Monday night, everyone ignores Rick Reilly.
*Besides Hamilton himself, who should be applauded (a lil’ more, but that’s it) for what he’s accomplished
**Although according to the ESPN crew, Hamilton still does not trust himself enough not to seek out the drugs that ruined his life and travels with a friend who keeps him on the straight and arrow. Mr. Christ, paging Mr. Christ
primoz forever 
Hmm.
I think you need to Red Lasso this so we can hear the tone of the gentleman in question.
Has anyone asked Morneau if he’s an atheist?
I’m being serious when I say I didn’t hear this comment made by Reilly. It seemed to me the ESPN guys were beating around the bush when it came to commenting on religion. I heard a comment made by Berman comparing something with the Christians vs. The Lions, which I thought was uncalled for. This coming after ESPN’s ombudsman just wrote a piece about a few incidents Jemele Hill and Bonnie Bernstein ran into using inappropriate speech. I’m not atheist, but, if Reilly said this, I’ll agree he could have used a comment that wouldn’t single out one group of people.As a Christian, it is not our job to judge one another, that’s God’s job when it’s our time to go.
Tom, anything to differentiate, eh.
WH, look to Awful Announcing, they have the ESPN broadcast of Hamilton’s 1st Round.
I don’t think Rick Reilly meant that atheists hated Josh Hamilton or didn’t like the events of the night. They had been talking about his “miraculous” (though later they referred to it as “magic”…a regression that I feel was weak) ascent from a drug addict that should have died to one of the great young players in the game today, and to have the single greatest round of Homerun Derby in history. A national audience was able to witness what God had done in this young man’s life, and Rick Reilly was just pointing out that it might be just a little harder not to believe after that.
Religion is our problem, not the belief in it. The need to publically announce ones faith for no other reason than attracking other like minded, or no-minded fools to bask in your particular deities rules, teachings or all out foolishness.(Church of Sweet Corn, Yummy) This kid can play, and I for one and happy he righted his ship. Much Success regardless of religion.