Josh Hamilton (baseball)

Infobox MLB player


width = 300px
name=Josh Hamilton
position=Outfielder
team=Texas Rangers
number=32
bats=Left
throws=Left
birthdate=birth date and age|1981|5|21
birthplace=city-state|Raleigh|North Carolina
debutdate=April 2
debutyear=2007
debutteam=Cincinnati Reds
statyear=2008 season
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.301
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=51
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=177
teams=
*Cincinnati Reds (by|2007)
*Texas Rangers (by|2008–present)

Joshua Holt Hamilton (born May 21, 1981 in city-state|Raleigh|North Carolina) is a Major League Baseball player for the Texas Rangers. He was the first overall pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He was considered a blue chip prospect until injuries and addiction derailed his career in 2001. Prior to the 2007 season, Hamilton was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the Rule 5 Draft, and quickly sold to the Cincinnati Reds. He made his MLB debut in 2007, and had a successful rookie season. During the off-season he was traded to the Texas Rangers for Edinson Volquez.

After his torrid start to the 2008 season, Hamilton was named to the American League All-Star team. He also participated in the Home Run Derby, where he hit 28 home runs in the opening round, to break Bobby Abreu's record of 24 set in 2005. He finished second in the finals to Justin Morneau, but did hit the second most total home runs of any participant with 35, while Bobby Abreu finished with 41.cite web|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jzXEK41pcq1gfj96S8c-0C0VgK6AD91U24F00 | title=Hamilton has record round, but Morneau wins Derby | publisher = AP |date=2008-07-14 | accessdate=2008-07-14] cite web | title = Hamilton steals the show in defeat | url = http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/604980.html | author = Phillips, Mike | publisher = Miami Herald | date = 2008-07-15 | accessdate = 2008-07-15]

Baseball career

High school

Josh Hamilton starred for Athens Drive High School in Raleigh, North Carolina before being drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1999. He was a highly decorated high school player, twice being named North Carolina's Gatorade High School Player of the Year. Following his senior season, he was named High School Player of the Year by "Baseball America" and Amateur Player of the Year by USA Baseball. Hamilton played outfield and also pitched during his high school career.cite web | title = Josh Hamilton Player File | url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=285078 | publisher = MLB.com | accessdate = 2008-06-12] As a left-handed high school pitcher, Hamilton sometimes hit 96 MPH. He was touted as a rare talent, who was almost equally skilled as a pitcher and a position player (outfield). Dan Jennings, a Tampa Bay scout said "He has every tool we look for in a position player." His high school coach at Athens Drive, John Thomas said "He's better at this game than anyone else I've seen in high school or college." cite web | author = Pearlman, Jeff | title = Prospect with All the Tools: Josh Hamilton hits, fields, pitches and is the darling of this year's draft | date = 1999-06-02 | url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/1999/draft/news/1999/06/02/si_hamilton/ | accessdate = 2008-06-12]

Minor leagues

Hamilton signed with the Devil Rays receiving a $3.96 million signing bonus, and joined their minor league system.cite web | author = Chen, Albert | title = The Super Natural | date = 2008-05-27 | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/albert_chen/05/27/hamilton0602/ | accessdate = 2008-06-12] cite web| author=Nightengale, Bob| title=Hamilton on the comeback trail| publication=USA Today| url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/devilrays/2006-06-06-hamilton-cover_x.htm| date=2006-06-07| accessdate=2007-06-03] His first stop in the minors was the rookie level Princeton Devil Rays of the Appalachian League where he played 56 games. He also joined the Hudson Valley Renegades, and helped lead them to their first New York-Penn League championship. After this successful debut in professional baseball, he spent the by|2000 season with the Charleston RiverDogs in the South Atlantic League.cite web | title = Josh Hamilton Statistics | url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/H/josh-hamilton.shtml | accessdate = 2008-06-12] At the start of his pro career, Hamilton's parents quit their jobs so they could travel with their son.cite web |author = Sheinin, Dave | title = New Life at the Plate | publication = Washington Post | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/12/AR2007021201312.html | date = 2007-02-13 | accessdate = 2008-06-13]

Prior to the by|2001 season, Hamilton was involved in a car accident. His mother was also injured in the accident, and she went home with her husband to recuperate from her injuries. The 2001 season was also when he began experimenting with drugs, and made his first attempt at rehab. Hamilton only played 27 games in the 2001 season, split between Charleston (A-Ball) and the Orlando Rays, a AA team in the Southern League. Hamilton began the by|2002 season with the Bakersfield Blaze, batting .303 with 9 home runs and 44 RBI in 56 games before his season came to an end due to lingering back and shoulder injuries.

At the start of the by|2003 season, Hamilton showed up late several times during spring training and was reassigned to the team's minor league camp. He left the team and resurfaced several times, but eventually took the rest of the season off for personal reasons. Hamilton was hoping to return to spring training with the Devil Rays in by|2004, but he was suspended 30 days and fined for violating the drug policy put in place by MLB. Because of the length of his suspension, and the terms of the drug policy, Hamilton must have failed two or more drug tests after being put into the program. A 'failed' test is a positive result for a drug more severe than marijuana.cite web | author = Topkin, Mark | title = Josh Hamilton Suspended For MLB Drug Policy Violations | publication = Baseball America | url = http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/news/040218hamilton.html | date = 2004-02-18 |accessdate = 2008-06-13] This suspension was increased several times after repeated violations of the terms of the program.cite web | author = Paul, Tony | title = Back from the (nearly) dead | publication = The Detroit News | url=http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080606/OPINION03/806060396 | date = 2008-06-06 | accessdate = 2008-06-13]

From 2004 until by|2006, Hamilton did not play baseball at all. He made several attempts at rehab, and started off the by|2005 season with hopes of being reinstated by MLB. cite web | author = Topkin, Mark | title = Staying clean a day at a time | publication = St. Petersburg Times | url = http://www.sptimes.com/2005/01/14/Rays/Staying_clean_a_day_a.shtml | date = 2005-01-14 |accessdate = 2008-06-13] His return to baseball was helped along by Roy Silver who owns a baseball academy in Florida. After hearing about Hamilton's desire to return to baseball, Silver offered the use of his facility if Hamilton agreed to work there. After several months there, Hamilton attempted to play with an independent minor league team, but MLB stepped in and disallowed it. After reviewing his case, and hearing from doctors that being around baseball might speed his recovery, Hamilton was allowed to work out with the Devil Rays minor league players starting on June 2, 2006. By the end of the month, he was allowed to participate in minor league games. He played 15 games with the Hudson Valley Renegades at the end of the 2006 season.cite web | title = The Natural | url = http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080714/SPORTS/282343154/-1/RSS04 |author = Davidoff, Ken | publisher = The Daily Herald Co. | date = 2008-07-14 | accessdate = 2008-07-14] In addition to returning to baseball, Hamilton also served as a cautionary tale for his young teammates with the Renegades. Rick Zolzer, the Renegades' director of special events said of Hamilton: ""He pointed (the other players) in the right direction. He said, Don't make the mistakes I made.' He was so good with all of the young kids."

Rule 5 Draft

Hamilton was selected third overall in the MLB portion of the 2006 Rule 5 Draft by the Chicago Cubs, as the Rays had not placed him on their 40-man roster.cite web| title=Major League Rule 5 Draft Selections| publication=Baseball America| url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/news/262980.html| date=2006-12-07| accessdate=2007-12-06] The Cubs then sold Hamilton to the Cincinnati Reds for $100,000 ($50,000 for his rights, and $50,000 to cover the cost of the Rule 5 selection). [cite web| title=Ex-rays Prospect Hamilton picked in rule 5 draft| publication=Associated Press| url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2689855| date=2006-12-07| accessdate=2007-04-02] In their coverage of the draft, Chris Kline and John Manuel of Baseball America called Hamilton "the biggest name in the Rule 5 in years." [cite web | author=Kline, Chris and Manuel, John| title=Rule 5 Draft blog| publisher=Baseball America| url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/news/262979.html| date=2006-12-07| accessdate=2007-04-02]

Cincinnati Reds (2007)

In order to retain the rights to Hamilton, the Reds had to keep him on their Major League 25-man roster for the entire 2007 season. He was one of the Reds' best hitters in spring training, leaving camp with a .403 batting average. As a result, he won a spot on the Reds' Opening Day roster; [cite web| author=Encina, Eduardo A. | title=Reds' Hamilton to start in majors| publication=Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg Times| url=http://www.sptimes.com/2007/03/31/Sports/Reds__Hamilton_to_sta.shtml| date=2007-03-31| accessdate=2007-04-02] the Reds planned to use him as a fourth outfielder. [cite web| author=Sheldon, Mark| title=Reds aim to build on last season's run| publication=Mlb.com| url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070327&content_id=1862217&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin| date=2007-03-30| accessdate=2007-04-02] Hamilton started most of the time in center field after an injury to Ryan Freel. He also received starts due to injuries to Chris Denorfia and Norris Hopper.

Hamilton made his long-awaited Major League debut on April 2 against the Chicago Cubs in a pinch-hit appearance, receiving a 22-second standing ovation. After he lined out, Hamilton stayed in the game to play left field.cite web | author = Sheldon, Mark | title = Winding road leads Hamilton to the majors | publisher = MLB.com | url=http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070402&content_id=1875992&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin | date = 2007-04-02 | accessdate = 2008-06-20] As he was waiting to bat, Cubs catcher Michael Barrett said "'You deserve it, Josh. Take it all in, brother. I'm happy for you."cite web | author = Hamilton, Josh & Keown, Tim | title = I'm proof that hope is never lost | publisher = ESPN.com | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2926447 | date = 2007-07-05 | accessdate = 2008-06-20] He made his first start on April 10 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, batting lead off. In that game, he recorded his first Major League hit, a home run off Édgar González. The next night, he hit another. Hamilton was named the National League Rookie of the Month for April.

On May 22, the Reds placed Hamilton on the 15-day disabled list with gastroenteritis; they activated him on June 5 after he batted .333 (8-for-24) with four home runs and six RBI in a six-game Minor League rehabilitation assignment. [cite web| author=Sheldon, Mark| title=Hamilton to be activated from DL| url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070604&content_id=2005116&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin| date=2007-06-05| accessdate=2007-06-05] Hamilton went back on the DL on July 12 with a sprained wrist. [cite web| author=Sheldon, Mark| title=Notes: Ten more days for Hamilton | url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070716&content_id=2090159&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin| date=2007-07-16 | accessdate=2007-07-22]

Among all NL rookies, Hamilton placed second behind Ryan Braun in slugging percentage (.554), and fourth in home runs (19; behind Braun, Chris Young, and Troy Tulowitzki). He was shut out in the voting for the Rookie of the Year, which was won by Braun.cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071112&content_id=2298624&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Braun named NL Rookie of the Year|last=McCalvy|first=Adam|date=2007-11-12|publisher=MLB.com|accessdate=2008-06-24]

Texas Rangers (2008–present)

On December 21, 2007, the Reds traded Hamilton to the Texas Rangers for Edinson Volquez and Danny Herrera.cite web | title = Reds trade Josh Hamilton to Rangers | url = http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2007-12-21-reds-rangers-trade_N.htm | publisher = USA Today | date = 2007-12-21 | accessdate = 2008-07-10] cite web | title = Rangers acquire Hamilton from Reds | url = http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071221&content_id=2336081&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp | author = Sullivan, TR | publisher = MLB.com | date = 2007-12-21 | accessdate = 2008-07-10] In by|2008, Hamilton locked up the Rangers starting center fielder job with a stellar spring training in which he batted .556 and drove in 13 RBIs in 14 games. [cite web | url = http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/springStats?team=tex&type=null&year=2008 | title = Texas Rangers Spring Training Statistics | publisher = ESPN | accessdate = 2008-07-15] His spring training performance proceeded to follow into the regular season. Hamilton, usually slotted third in the Texas batting order, led all Major League players in RBI for the month of April. He was named American League Player of the Month after hitting .330 with 32 RBI during the month. Hamilton then went on to win player of the month for the second straight month in May, becoming the first American League player in baseball history to be awarded Player of the Month for the first two months of the season.cite web | title = Rangers' Hamilton is AL's player of the month - again | url = http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2004453232_apbbarangershamiltonhonoredagain.html | publisher = The Seattle Times | date = 2008-06-02 | accessdate = 2008-07-10] Hamilton was featured on the cover of the June 2, 2008 issue of Sports Illustrated, in a story chronicling his comeback. On July 9, 2008 Josh Hamilton hit the first walk-off home run of his career against Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez.cite web | title = Josh Hamilton's walk-off homer propels Rangers to win over Angels | url = http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/071008dnsporangelede.3e7e773.html | author = Grant, Evan | publisher = The Dallas Morning News | date = 2008-07-10 | accessdate = 2008-07-10] cite web | title = Hamilton nets walk off win, naturally | url = http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080709&content_id=3102216&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb | author = TR Sullivan | publisher = MLB.com | date = 2008-07-10 | accessdate = 2008-07-10]

Fans selected Hamilton as one of the starting outfielders for the American League at the 2008 MLB All Star Game at Yankee Stadium. He finished first in voting among the outfielders to clinch his spot.cite web | title=Rangers send four to All-Star Game | publisher = MLB.com | author = Sullivan, TR | url = http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080706&content_id=3076216&vkey=allstar2008&fext=.jsp | date = 2008-07-06 | accessdate = 2008-07-07] He was one of seven first-time starters in the game. Along with Kosuke Fukudome, Geovany Soto, and Ryan Braun, he will be one of four who made their MLB debut 2007 or 2008.cite web | title = Sports: Braun to start in All-Star Game; Sheets lands birth | url = http://www.madison.com/tct/sports/294867 | publisher = The Capital Times | date = 2008-07-06 | accessdate = 2008-07-08] He was selected to participate in the 2008 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby the evening before the game. Hamilton selected 71-year old Clay Council to throw to him during the Derby. Council [cite web |url=http://www.wral.com/sports/story/3219934/|title=Council still on Cloud Nine |accessdate=2008-07-26 |work=WRAL.com] was a volunteer who threw batting practice for him as a child in Cary, NC.cite web | title = This week: Youth coach on the mound for Hamilton | url = http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1140797.html | publisher = The News Observer | date = 2008-07-14 | accessdate = 2008-07-14] In the first round of the event Hamilton hit 28 home runs, breaking the single round record of 24 set by Bobby Abreu in 2005.cite web | title = Morneau stuns Hamilton to take Derby | publisher = MLB.com | url = http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080714&content_id=3135613&vkey=allstar2008&fext=.jsp | date = 2008-07-14 | accessdate = 2008-07-15] Hamilton ended up hitting the most total home runs in the contest with 35, but lost in the final round to Justin Morneau, as the scores were reset.cite web | title = Hamilton sets record with 28 HRs in first round of Derby; Morneau wins it all | url = http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/allstar08/news/story?id=3487640 | publisher = ESPN | date = 2008-07-15 | accessdate = 2008-07-15] His record setting first round included 13 straight home runs at one point, and three that went further than 500 feet. His longest home run was 518 feet. In 2006, when Hamilton was trying to get back into baseball, he had a dream where he participated in a Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium, but he could not remember how many home runs he had hit. After the Derby Hamilton said: "This, was like living the dream out, because like I've said, I didn't know the ending to that dream."cite web | title = Hamilton's power display defies explanation | url = http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/allstar08/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3487832 | publisher = ESPN | author = Stark, Jason | date = 2008-07-15 | accessdate = 2008-07-15] On August 17 He was intentionally walked with the bases loaded against the Rays in the bottom of the ninth to face Marlon Byrd with the Rays leading 7-4. The Rays went on to win the game 7-4. Hamilton became only the 4th Player in history to have that feat. Joe Maddon said after the game "We didn't want Hamilton to hit a home run. He's got 28, and Marlon Byrd's got 8."

Personal life

Family

Josh Hamilton is married to Katie (nee Chadwick), the daughter of one of the men (Michael Chadwick) who helped him in his quest to get clean. They started dating in 2002, when Hamilton returned to Raleigh.cite web | author = Shroyer, Shawn | title = Hamilton, wife share story with fans | publisher = MLB.com | url = http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080601&content_id=2818998&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb | date = 2008-06-01 | accessdate = 2008-06-20] They married in 2004.cite web |author = Grant, Evan | title = Faith brings Texas Rangers' Hamilton back from the brink | publisher = Dallas News | url = http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/baseball/rangers/stories/012708dnspowebrangersz.218a1b6.html | date = 2008-02-29 | accessdate = 2008-06-20] Katie has a daughter, Julia, from a previous relationship, and together Josh and Katie have two daughters, Sierra and Michaela Grace [ [ http://www.celebrity-babies.com/2008/08/josh-hamilton-b.html] ] (Hamilton left during the middle of the Texas-Boston game on August 13, 2008 after hearing reports that Katie was in labor). They went through a period of estrangement when Josh had a relapse of his drug use, but once he became clean again in 2005, they reunited.

Recovery/Faith

Hamilton's struggles with drugs and alcohol are well documented. He finally got clean after being confronted by his grandmother, Mary Holt. Hamilton says he hasn't used drugs or alcohol since October 6, 2005. When giving a brief summary of his recovery Hamilton says simply "It's a God thing." He does not shy away from telling his story, speaking to community groups and fans at many different functions. He frequently and publicly tells stories of how Christianity has brought him back from the brink and that faith is what keeps him going. His wife Katie sometimes accompanies him, offering her perspective on his struggles as well. To go along with the provisions of MLB's drug policy, Hamilton provides urine samples for drug testing at least three times per week.cite web | author = Crouse, Karen | title = Finding peace, and looking for a job | publisher = New York Times | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/09/sports/baseball/09hamilton.html?_r=1&oref=slogin | date = 2007-03-09 | accessdate = 2008-06-20] Rangers' coach Johnny Narron says of the frequent testing: "I think he looks forward to the tests. He knows he's an addict. He knows he has to be accountable. He looks at those tests as a way to reassure people around him who had faith." Hamilton approaches the plate at Texas Rangers home games to the song "Saved The Day" by Christian group Phillips, Craig and Dean.cite web | author = The M Collective | title = PHILLIPS, CRAIG & DEAN FINDS FOLLOWING AT TEXAS RANGERS’ BALLPARK | publisher = The M Collective | url = http://jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2008/07/09.PHILLIPS%20CRAIG%20and%20DEAN%20FINDS%20FOLLOWING%20AT%20TEXAS%20RANGERS%20BALLPARK.asp | date = 2008-07-09 | accessdate = 2008-07-09]

tatistics

Major League

small|Roll over stat abbreviations for definitions. Stats through September 28, 2008.cite web| url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hamiljo03.shtml | title=Josh Hamilton Statistics| work=Baseball-Reference| accessdate=2008-06-28]

ee also

* List of Major League Baseball RBI champions

References

External links

* [http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/player?statsId=6679 Josh Hamilton on FoxSports]
* [http://multimedia.foxsports.com/baseball/texas-rangers/josh-hamilton.htm Josh Hamilton Video on FoxSports Video Archive]
* [http://www.dugoutcentral.com/blog/?p=1480 Josh Hamilton Scouting Report from Dugout Central]
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3490593 "I'm proof that hope is never lost" from "ESPN the Magazine" (7/16/2007)]
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3488605 HELL AND BACK from "ESPN the Magazine" (6/21/2004)]
* [http://videos.espn.com/baseball/texas-rangers/josh-hamilton.htm Josh Hamilton Video on ESPN Video Archive]