Phil will be proud.
and surprised.......
Thanks to everybody who checked in last week, I have never read any blogs and don’t really know what I should be writing about but something always seems to pop up and tonight’s post is from watching the home run contest on ESPN.
Now stay with me....I realize the “all sports channel” is pretty far off from the “all cooking channel” but have y’all heard of Josh Hamilton?
A few years ago Josh was chosen as the number one pick in the baseball draft. He was held up on a pedestal by everyone his whole life and at 19 or 20 years old was given four million dollars and told he could be the best there ever was...until he turned into the worst he would ever be...drugs and alcohol got him. The money was soon gone.
He was given chance after chance until he struck out in baseball and was banned from the game. He turned up at his granny’s house 40 pounds under weight, everything a blur. His wife was beginning to give up hope and that was what it took for him to start working towards getting right again. We will never know how hard that fight must be for him.
He turned to religion and stayed close to home and began to work out again....and saved his marriage.
He was seen as a sure thing out of high school, it’s called a five tool player. Hit for average, hit with power, run fast, have a great arm and can catch anything. Five tools....can’t miss.
A pure player is not easy to forget in the ranks of major league baseball and Josh stayed clean long enough to be given a chance last year with the Cincinnati Reds and played the last part of the season for them and was traded to the Texas Rangers in the off season. The Rangers assigned a fella to tag along with Josh and help him make the right decisions in his climb back to the bigs. Josh said he only carries $20 dollars in his pocket to help fight temptation.
He had a dream to compete in the All-Star game and participate in the Home-Run Derby. He has said he felt this was the best way for him to spread the word of his belief and set an example for folks who felt they were beyond help, no longer worthy of love and compassion.
So he changes his life...and makes it as a starter for the All-Star game tomorrow night and gets to compete in the Home-Run contest tonight.
Josh made the cover of Sports Illustrated a few weeks ago and I was anxious to see how he fared after reading his story. The first thing I saw tonight was that his pitcher for the contest (the player can choose his own) was his old coach from American Legion ball. Coach Counsil is seventy one years old. Seventy one! How cool is that? In Yankee Stadium, packed house, at the All-Star game pitching to a kid that he watched blow it all and then come back to
this....wow.
Well, of course all Josh Hamilton does is set the new record for home runs set in a single round during the contest. Twenty-eight home runs. The entire stadium began to chant his name half way through and as he took a break to wipe what may have been tears off his face and I took a break to wipe what were tears off of my face I decided I’m buying me a new hat tomorrow.
A Texas Rangers cap, the team of my new favorite player and one of the best stories I have ever heard...but y’all know I love an underdog story.
Bobby and I are headed to momma’s tomorrow to start filming for a special coming up on the Food Network details to follow....
Thanks again y’all. Have a great week and do good things.
-Jamie
I would love to talk to bobby. i have seen your mother twice. once in Birmingham,Al and in Atlanta,Ga. I am friends with Joey Wright. He does some of the filming for her tours. I love Paula!!! U can look me up on myspace under Gina Bassett from Childersburg, Al. I know this is strange but wonder will I ever meet him???
By regina bassett on July 15 2008
Hi again,
You are doing a good job on your blog, keep it up!! I always look forward to reading them on Monday nights!
When is Bobby going to start his blog? I hope soon!
What a great story about the baseball player! How he changed his life around!
I hope to meet you and Bobby when I’m in Savannah in September.
You and Bobby did a great job on Good Morning America! I watched it when I was half a sleep though! I think you and Bobby should have your own cooking show! again??
Have a good week!!
Bye, bye,
Melisa Yerger
Lima, Ohio
By Melisa Yerger on July 15 2008
Hi Jamie,
What an inspirational story! We don’t often see a young man be able to turn his life around and continue on his dream. He has a lot to be proud of and thankful for. Let’s hope his story can help prevent others from taking the wrong road.
Can’t wait to hear about the upcoming special for Food Network.
By Diane on July 15 2008
i love these inspirational stories of people who have nothing or who are at rock bottom and through strength and will pull themselves up to success. those are the people to admire.
By Kimberly Vickers on July 15 2008
I agree, Underdog stories are always the best!! I am looking forward to seeing the new Food Network special coming up. It’s always nice to see my future in laws and future husband working together. Gives me something to look forward to! Bobby Deen is SO dreamy! I do enjoy your blog and banter Jaime...keep it up!!
By Amy on July 15 2008
Hey Jamie!!
In my house, there are two things we watch, the Food Network and the Texas Rangers!! Whenever ya come to Dallas, I’d love to take you to a game!!
By Mary on July 15 2008
Hey Jamie!
Love your stories! Living in Chicago has made me a Sox and Cubs fan but I like to hear wonderful stories about baseball and it’s influence on peoples lives. Thanks
Looking forward to your special...I miss seeing you and Bobby’s beautiful faces on my TV.
Road Tasted is not the same without you!!!
Love to y’all!
Deb M… Darien, Il
By Deb M on July 15 2008
Wow! We watched the derby last nite also and it was amazing. My son is a dedicated baseball player and has been since he could walk. He loves your shows and I try to tell him he can like sports and cook too. Its ok for a guy to do both. I am going to show him this blog. I want him to pattern himself after good players and not be attracted to the drugs and other stuff that taints so many of the sports stars today. I like to see him channel surf between espn and food network. Hopefully it is keeping him well rounded. I appreciate you and your family keeping things clean and wholesome for us country folks who do not like the worldly side of hollywood. Being a southerner is the best!!!
By Dana G on July 15 2008
How did I miss the derby?! Good gracious, I never miss it. I’ve got the DVR set for the game tonight though. I’ll look for Josh Hamilton. I love an underdog too. Amazing what faith and love can do in our lives, isn’t it?
BTW, y’all did good last week on GMA.
By Michelle on July 15 2008
Hello from Minnesota! I saw some of the home run derby last night, good for hamilton but honestly i was watching more food network than espn, sorry. I would like to take a just girls trip to savannah, I have never been and it looks beautiful! Of course i would be making a stop at The Lady and Sons. Please tell your mom that watching her does inspire me to try new things, and watching her on tv is relaxing and makes me very hungry!!! Thanks for your best dishes Paula!
Lisa B.
By lisa behsman on July 15 2008
What an inspirational story… I don’t know much, hardly anything, about baseball and usually just watch the Huskers play. GO BIG RED! Sorry that just came out… 
That’s awesome he was able to turn his life around. Who doesn’t like underdog stories, they are always heartwarming and uplifting.
Can’t wait to see the special on Food Network. I switch between HGtv and FoodNet… So keep us posted and will look for it!
Those ribs looked REALLY good last Friday on GMA. I haven’t made ribs yet but would really like to. The coleslaw Bobby made didn’t look like it had enough mayo on it… I know he said it didn’t need a lot but I thought “that’s it?”....
Anyway, have a good week! And way to be on time!!! LOL Just kidding! You are doing fine!
By Heidi in Omaha on July 15 2008
It’s always good to hear of someone who turns their life around and rises back to the top...definitely a tear-jerker . I have to admit, I don’t watch a lot of sports on TV, except Auburn football, but this is a great story. Ya’ll did great on Good Morning America, but wasn’t it hard to eat that kind of food for breakfast? It did look good though! I am going to be moving to Savannah within the next year and was wondering if there are any particular areas you would recommend living or staying away from. I am finishing up my degree and working, so I don’t have many opportunities to come down. Thanks for your advice, and I look forward to seeing the special!
By Meagan on July 15 2008
Hey Jamie!!!!
This has nothing to do with anything!!!!!
What nationality are you and Bobby? I have been trying to figure this out and can come to no conclusion!
Would you let me know?
Thanks, oh and, watched you and Bobby on GMA....You were not on nearly long enough!! You and Bobby need your own show...Who can I call!?!?!?!
Love,
Deb M
By Deb M on July 15 2008
Hello from California! Your blog was forwarded to me today from a friend and I have to say I was so moved by the story of Josh Hamilton that I went to the Sports Illustrated web-site to read the full story. Awesome!!!
Thanks for sharing! ~ Kiersten
P.S. Enjoy watching you all on the Food Network.
By Kiersten Klessig on July 15 2008
Hello Jamie,
What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing. I’m thinking the Deen family must be the nicest family in America.
By Candi on July 16 2008
Jamie, that was truly an inspirational story. I like to hear stories like that. I think it encourages others to think about making changes in their own lives. Everything is about Baseball these days, which is a good thing. We are having the Triple A All-Star game in Louisville, Ky. tonight. I heard it’s going to be standing room only for those that didn’t get a ticket.
I can’t wait to hear about the upcoming special. I thought you and Bobby did a great job on GMA. I didn’t think that they gave you enough air-time but they are always trying to shorten segments in television news.
I hope you and yours have a great week.
By Sonya on July 16 2008
Jamie,
Great story!
Rhonda
By Rhonda on July 16 2008
Hey Jamie,
I did see parts of the story - great and inspiring...I enjoy watching you and your family - attempted to get into your restaurant in Savannah a couple of times when I visited but the lines were toooooo long! Question; when your mother filmed her first episodes, were they filmed in her home in Savannah? Someone told me it was a “country kitchen” in New York? Not sure why I need to know this......just curious I guess..Say Hi to your Mama from a Swede! (If you ever need some authentic swedish recepies let me know....). Have an awesome day!
By Christina Ashley on July 16 2008
Hi Christina, Phil here. Actually the first few episodes of Paula’s show were filmed in the kitchen of Gordon Elliott. Paula’s Home Cooking and Paula’s Best Dishes are actually filmed in her kitchen here in Savannah.
By Administrator on July 16 2008
Thanks for posting the story! I had heard about his record setting home runs but I didn’t know the background. His success at the derby alone is something to celebrate. Now that I know the context and how far he has come, I am really thrilled for him and inspired to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Have a great day!
By Karen on July 17 2008
Hey Jamie, 41days 12Hours 5 Minutes and 40 Seconds till we board the Infinity!!! Coming from Texas and will get you as many of those caps as you want. We sailed with y’all last year and had such a great time that we couldn’t pass up the chance to go with y’all again.
We came to Savannah in March and got to see Uncle Bubba at his resturant then later that night we came to the Lady and Sons. My daughter was hoping to see y’all cause she didn’t get to cruise with us. She loved meeting Uncle Bubba. Sorry, for her as she can’t come with us again due to school. She is not a happy camper about that. I will just have to share all of the fun with her through photos. Till August 29th
By Tammy Veach on July 18 2008
Well, I just got bummed out!! I was re reading some blogs to find out that you will not be on the cruise this year. There went some of my excitment!!!
By Tammy Veach on July 18 2008
Hey!!! just wanted to tell yall that my whole family are giant fans of your whole family!! keep up the good times!
By shannon on July 18 2008
heya jamie
thanks for sharing such an encouraging and inspirational story but,what really touched me
was your reaction to it,it’s wonderul to see a man showing sensitive and not afraid to cry...ermmm...or,maybe,it was a freak nature weather and it rained in doors :D
i hope u dont mind me going off subject for a min
but,i just wanted to say, i am not a person that is easily impressed,but your family have truly impressed me, not because you’er famous (famous dont always mean,a good person)it’s because,of all the things you’ve all worked so hard to accomplish,the most precious and valubale things you all,is your family.
i do believe the charactor of a person can be found in what he/she values the most:)
sorry for rambling:P
you and urs have a wonderful day
By karen on July 19 2008
Jamie
I’m just wondering if the buffet at the casino in Tunica MS is the same as the buffet at Lady and Sons? We tried to go to Lady and Sons, but got to the podium too late to get a reservation, so I’m hoping I can catch the buffet at the casino in Tunica at the end of August.
Please let me know.
Thanks,
Cassandra
By Cassandra on July 19 2008
Jamie,
That’s the good thing about blogs - you can post whatever you want - after all, it’s YOUR blog. I’m doing one for work, too (documenting my adventured in something called Operation Boot Camp), and at first I wondered if anyone would read it. Turns out they have - and from the looks of things, yours is going great so far. Keep up the good work!
Anyway, thanks for choosing an inspiring story. Josh is incredible...GO RANGERS!
Ya’ll need road taste some restaurants in Oklahoma. We’ve got some great places to try out. You just haven’t had steak until you’ve been here!
By Paula Morrison on July 20 2008
Hello, Jamie! Good to “talk” with you, so to speak. Hope you and your family are doing well. Never have been to Savannah, but it’s on my ‘to do’ list. Just read your story on Josh Hamilton. I live in Pittsboro, NC - about 20 miles from Raleigh. Josh’s story is all over the place...and there are lots of North Carolinians who are very proud of him. I do have a question - is here a way to obtain a list of job openings with The Lady and Sons? Thanks and God bless.
By Gail Blackwood on July 24 2008
Hello Jamie,
I think you, your brother and your mom are just the epitome of ‘suthurn.’ I did not know you had a blog, but a true uber fan of your family had a link to this on her blog (http://pensieve.typepad.com/) and I have been blessed today by this story.
I was so intrigued by what you wrote I had to go to ESPN and read the whole story. I have tears in my eyes and I am grateful you shared. I am not a sports nut, so I would have missed this story of redemption...and what a story.
God bless you and your family. =)
Phyllis
By Phyllis@AimlessConversation on July 30 2008
I love this story about Josh Hamilton! I watched a little of the homerun derby with my husband and 4 year old son but missed Josh in action. I read about it a few days later and was blessed to find and read his testimony! What an awesome account of God’s faithfulness!
I had no idea you even had a blog until Robin @ PENSIEVE (http://pensieve.typepad.com/) posted a giveaway of all things Paula Deen...I think she’s y’alls #1 fan! Oh yeah, I’m a fellow southerner from South Carolina who has not had the privilege of going to Lady and Sons!!! My husband was going to take me for our anniversary but then we couldn’t find anyone to watch our little wild man...maybe next time we could bring him and he could hang out with your little Jack.
By gillian on July 31 2008
Robin from PENSIEVE sent me over here--she has a great blog!
I’m new to the blogging world too, so I can understand not knowing what to write about. This was a fantastic story though, I’m glad you shared it. Thanks!
By Charlotte on July 31 2008
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