Bruce Maxwell's team had won. He was a champion in the Mexican Baseball League:
Probably the best moment of my baseball career!!! Never been loved and wanted like this in a city!!!! Fucking championship and history made this year!!! @AcererosOficial forever will be my heart!!! #FuriAzul pic.twitter.com/L3aMRDzQCP— Bruce T Maxwell (@bruu_truu13) October 3, 2019
The former A's catcher walked away with celebratory honors with the Acereros de Monclova, a Triple-A team in Mexico. And he was a huge part of the success.
He finished his season with a .325/.407/.559 line and 24 home runs.
But Maxwell's past still haunts him.
Despite the new championship hardware, Maxwell still receives death threats on social media from something that occurred back in September of 2017.
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"I had a few people on Twitter saying, ‘F--k you, I still hope you die," Maxwell told The San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser. "I'm glad you're not on our team, we don't play kneelers.' I was like, ‘Two years later y'all are still worrying about me?'
"People say they wish I'd go away - then they take the time to find me, when I've completely removed myself from damn near every contact I've had, and I have a new Facebook, new Instagram. I've started over, and I'm really happy with who I'm looking at in the mirror every day, physically, emotionally."
The kneeling was supported by his teammate A's outfielder Mark Canha who placed his hand on the shoulder of a kneeling Maxwell. Then others joined. Manager Bob Melvin and general manager David Forst both spoke to media to offer their backing.
Beyond the protest, Maxwell had other tribulations added to his life.
He was arrested and faced charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct in October of 2017. He allegedly pointed a gun at a female driver who came to his door to deliver food. According to police reports, Maxwell was showing signs of intoxication during his arrest, used profanity and "anti-police statements."
"People looked at me in a different light because of that," Maxwell told The Chronicle. "People in baseball and fans look at me like a terrible person, an awful human being for standing up for what I believe in. Or for the arrest I had, and those charges were dropped."
[RELATED: Maxwell still smiling after controversial season]
Those awful comments from those on social media are inevitable. Trust us, we know.
Still, upon looking for those interacting with the former big-league catcher, there were words of encouragement. Those saying Maxwell deserved the win he helped his team achieve. Those saying they even missed him in a Green and Gold uniform.
Hopefully, Maxwell sees those, as well.
