Josh Hamilton

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Joshua Holt Hamilton (born May 21, 1981) is an American baseball outfielder.

He competed for the Cincinnati Reds (2007), Texas Rangers (2008-2012, 2015), and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2013-2014).

Hamilton, a five-time MLB All-Star, has received the American League Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) in 2010 and has received the American League Most Valuable Player Award (MVP).

Hamilton was the first overall pick in the 1999 MLB draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

He was regarded as a blue chip prospect until he suffered from injuries and heroin use, which ended his career in 2001.

In the Rule 5 draft, Hamilton was selected by the Chicago Cubs (picking for the Reds) prior to the 2007 season.

He was traded to the Rangers during the off-season. Hamilton was named to the AL All-Star team during the 2008 season.

He also played in the Home Run Derby, where he hit a record 28 home runs in the first round and finished with 35 home runs, the second-most all-time derby record.

He was a member of the All-Star team for the next four seasons.

Hamilton received more votes in 2012 than any other participant on the All-Star Game ballot, totaling almost 3.5 million votes over 2011's record.

In 2010, Hamilton claimed the AL batting crown for the first time.

Hamilton was named MVP of the 2010 ALCS on October 22, 2010.

Hamilton was named the 2010 AL MVP on November 23, 2010, receiving 22 of 28 first-place votes.

Hamilton became the 16th player in MLB history to reach four home runs in a game on May 8, 2012.

Both four home runs were two-run home runs, and he set an AL record for total bases in a game with 18.

Personal life

Hamilton was married to Katie (née Chadwick), the daughter of Michael Chadwick who helped him with his drug and alcohol use for many years. They began dating in 2002 when he returned to Raleigh and married in 2004. Hamilton filed for divorce from Katie after 11 years of marriage in early 2015. The children were three years old together, as well as Katie's niece from a previous marriage.

Hamilton's heroin use and alcohol use are well chronicled. After being confronted by his grandmother, Mary Holt, he eventually stopped using heroin and alcohol. Hamilton said he had not used opioids or alcohol since October 6, 2005.

Hamilton says, "It's a God thing" when giving a brief recap of his recovery. At several functions, he does not shy away from sharing his personal story, speaking to community groups and supporters. He often tells stories about how Jesus brought him back from the brink, and that faith is what keeps him going. Beyond Belief, Hamilton's autobiography, explains how he quit alcohol and alcohol and discovered a personal relationship with God. Katie, his ex-wife, accompanied him on several occasions, giving her insight into his son's and his inability as well.

Hamilton provided urine samples for drug testing at least three times a week to comply with MLB's drug policy. Johnny Narron, Rangers' coach, said of the regular testing: "I think he looks forward to the tests." He knows he's addicted. He knows he has to be accountable. He finds those tests to reassure people around him who had faith.

Hamilton, along with other celebrities such as Brian Welch and Greg Ellis, appeared in "I Am Second" in which he chronicled his drug use with the support of his Christian faith in late 2008.

On the Learning Channel's reality show "The Real Deal," a portion of his recovery to sobriety was shown. The revival of Shoeless Joe Jackson's house began on March 31, 2007, and the restoration continued. Richard C. Davis, the owner of Trademark Properties, had Hamilton hired Hamilton as the construction foreman. Davis was negotiating the purchase of a minor league baseball team, as well as the possibility of allowing Hamilton a chance to join the team.

Hamilton's coworkers, who were aware of his previous struggles, decided to celebrate major events (such as winning the 2010 American League Division Series and the 2010 American League Championship Series) with ginger ale rather than champagne. The Rangers relived the festivities with ginger ale in the following weeks as they claimed their second straight pennant and reached the 2011 World Series.

After photographs were first published in August 2009, Hamilton admitted to a relapse in early 2009. Several people were photographed naked in a Tempe, Arizona, photograph of Hamilton shirtless in a bar. Deadspin was a sports website. According to accounts, witnesses saw Hamilton consuming and asking where he could buy cocaine, and heard him announce their plans to go to a strip joint later that evening. The photographs do not depict Hamilton being intoxicated or taking any illegal medications.

Johnny Narron doubted the photos before Hamilton's public admission, telling Deadspin, "I'm positive, in the depths of his drug use, he was in a lot of jails." He was in and out of jail, and 'crackhouses', as well as everything else. There are certainly photographs of him in various places. Narron had not seen the photographs and was told they were taken during March 2009, not two months before the incident occurred. Although this news did not break until August 2009, Hamilton revealed that he had warned his wife, the Texas Rangers, and MLB the day after the incident occurred. On August 8, Hamilton called a press conference to discuss the photographs.

Regarding the incident Hamilton said:

Hamilton admitted that after being inebriated, he had no recall of the night and was unaware of the photographs' contents. Hamilton did not see the photographs after they were published, but his wife listened on the phone as his wife described them to him. "My first reaction in January was one of worry," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said at the press conference. Since then, I've spoken to a lot of people, and they've said that coming forward and being honest about it was important." Two days after the incident, MLB tested Hamilton for illegal drugs, and he passed the drug test.

Hamilton had a second relapse with alcohol on February 2, 2012. He appears to have had two or three drinks before inviting his friend and then-teammate Ian Kinsler to speak at the bar. Hamilton apologised for his conduct on February 3, 2012.

Hamilton recovered in February 2015, using both cocaine and alcohol.

After being arrested on October 30, 2019, Hamilton was arrested and charged with injury to a child, a third-degree felony, after being accused of physically assaulting his oldest daughter. Hamilton was charged on felony charges for beating his daughter on April 8, 2020. If found guilty, he could face up to ten years in jail. Hamilton was found guilty of an unlawful restraint charge under a plea bargain on February 22, 2022, relating to a misdemeanor lawsuit that resulted from his daughter's traumatic experience dating back to October 2019. Hamilton was fined $500 and ordered to complete 20 hours of community service, anger management training, and parenting classes in the aftermath. In addition, Hamilton was banned from owning any firearms or chemicals related to drugs or alcohol. He was also forbidden from having any contact or contact with the daughter he assaulted before during his probation. If he meets the probationary requirements, the charge will be dismissed.

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Early life and career

Hamilton, a majority Scottish catcher, was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he appeared in no league baseball with former South Carolina and Oakland Athletics catcher Landon Powell. Hamilton played both a pitcher and outfielder at Athens Drive High School in Raleigh, where he excelled as both a pitcher and outfielder. Hamilton did the 60-yard dash in 6.7 seconds and was clocked at 97 mph (156 km/h) on the ound. Hamilton, along with Josh Beckett, a Texas high schooler, were among the top two prospects for the 1999 MLB draft after hitting.529 in 25 games with 13 home runs, 20 stolen bases, 35 runs batted in (RBIs), and 34 runs scored. Hamilton wrote a letter of intent to play college baseball for North Carolina State.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays owned the number one pick and selected Hamilton with the first overall pick. Hamilton has signed with Tampa Bay, earning a $3.96 million signing bonus and joining their minor leagues. He made his first appearance in the minors with the Princeton Devil Rays of the Appalachian League, where he appeared in 56 games. Hamilton later joined the Hudson Valley Renegades, a Short Season Single-Age group, and helped the team win their first New York–Penn League championship. He spent the 2000 season with the Charleston RiverDogs in the South Atlantic League. Hamilton had a breakout season in 1996, with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs. Since being 2–6 with two triples and two runs scored, he was also selected to the South Atlantic League All Star game and claimed MVP awards. In addition, Hamilton was selected to the 2000 All-Star Futures Game, a game that was supposed to showcase minor league prospects. USA Today named Hamilton as the year's Top Minor League Player of the Year. Hamilton's parents resigned from their careers early in their careers so they could travel with their son.

Hamilton was involved in a car accident prior to the 2001 season. His mother and father were also injured, but they were able to return home. Hamilton's first attempt at recovery came at the start of the 2001 season. Hamilton played 45 games in the 2001 season, with a split between the Charleston (Single-A) and the Orlando Rays, a Double-A team in the Southern League. Hamilton was batting.303 with nine home runs and 44 RBIs in 56 games before his season came to an end due to persistent toe and neck injuries. The Devil Rays noticed a change in Hamilton and responded by sending him to the Betty Ford Center for drug rehab.

Hamilton failed his first drug test during spring training of the 2003 season. Hamilton appeared late several times during spring training and was reassigned to the team's minor league camp at the start of the season. He left the team and returned several times, but ultimately decided against the remainder of the season due to personal reasons. Hamilton had hoped to return to spring training with the Devil Rays in 2004, but was suspended 30 days and fined for breaching MLB's drug policy. One in which a positive result for a drug more potent than marijuana is reported is a "failed" test. Since he failed two more tests, MLB suspended him for the whole season.

Hamilton was out of baseball for almost three years. He made several attempts at recovery and started the 2005 season with the intention of becoming a key league outfielder. Nevertheless, he was arrested before the season for smashing the windshield of a friend's car. Hamilton was placed on the restricted list, bringing him off the 40-man roster. MLB suspended him for the entire 2006 season after a second relapse.

Hamilton met Michael Chadwick, a businessman who wanted to guide him in the right way during his days of his most prolific abuse. Hamilton ended up meeting Katie, Chadwick's niece, through this friendship. Ex minor league outfielder and boss Roy Silver, who owned a baseball academy in Florida, assisted Hamilton in his return to baseball. Silver provided Hamilton with the use of his facility if Hamilton agreed to work there after learning about Hamilton's desire to return to baseball. Hamilton first started working at Silver's Academy in January 2006. His duties included sweeping the toilets and raking the infield. Hamilton spent his nights on an air mattress in one of the facility's offices. Hamilton wanted to play with an independent minor league team for several months, but MLB stepped in and barred it.

Hamilton was allowed to practice with the Devil Rays' minor league players starting on June 2, 2006. He had been licensed to play in minor league games by the end of the month. The Rays had to pass Hamilton through waivers in order for this to happen, making him available to any team for $20,000. He was not charged by a squad. Hamilton played in 15 games with the Hudson Valley Renegades during the 2006 season, his second stint with the minor leagues.

Major league career

Hamilton was third overall in the Chicago Cubs' 2006 Rule 5 draft, when immediately traded him to the Reds for $100,000 ($50,000) for his rights (and $50,000 for the cost of the Rule 5 pick). Hamilton was "the most important name in the Rule 5 in many years" in their coverage of the draft.

Hamilton was one of the Reds' best hitters in spring training in 2007, finishing with a.403 batting average in camp. In order to keep Hamilton's contract as a whole, the Reds will need to keep him on their Major League 25-man roster for the entire 2007 season, so they planned to use him as a fourth outfielder.

Hamilton made his Major League debut against the Chicago Cubs on April 2 in a pinch-hit appearance, receiving a 22-second standing ovation. "You deserved it, Josh," Cubs catcher Michael Barrett said as he began to bat. Keep it all in, brother. I'm excited for you." Hamilton stayed in the game to play left field after he lined out. On April 10, he got off to a promising start against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the batting leadoff. He made his first Major League appearance in the game, a home run off Édgar González. He hit another person the next night. For April, Hamilton was named the National League Rookie of the Month.

Hamilton was placed on the 15-day hospitalized list with gastroenteritis on May 22 by the Reds; he was activated on June 5 after he batted.333 (8-for-24) in a six-game Minor League rehabilitation assignment. Hamilton returned to the DL on July 12 with a strained wrist.

Hamilton spent the majority of the year in center field after suffering an injury to Ryan Freel, but was disqualified in the Rookie of the Year competition, which was won by Ryan Braun. The Reds traded Hamilton to the Texas Rangers for Edinson Vólquez and Danny Herrera on December 21, 2007.

Hamilton began working with the Rangers' starting center fielder job in 2008 with a strong spring preparation. His spring training efforts continued into the regular season. Hamilton, who is usually ranked fourth in the Texas batting order, led all major league players in RBIs for the month of April. After hitting.330 with 32 RBIs last month, he was named AL Player of the Month. Hamilton went on to win Player of the Month for the second month in a row, becoming the first AL player to be named Player of the Month for the first two months of the season. Hamilton was included on the front of Sports Illustrated's June 2, 2008 issue, chronicling his comeback. Hamilton defeated Francisco Rodrez on July 9, his first walk-off home run of his career.

At the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, fans voted Hamilton as one of the AL's starting outfielders. He came in first place in voting among outfielders. He was one of seven first-time starters in the game. Hamilton, Kosuke Fukudome, Geovany Soto, and Ryan Braun were among the four players to make their MLB debut in 2007 or 2008. He was chosen to participate in the 2008 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby the evening before the game. During the Derby, Hamilton selected 71-year-old Clay Council to throw to him. Councilman in Raleigh, North Carolina, was a volunteer who threw batting lessons for him as a youth. Hamilton claimed 28 home runs in the first round of the tournament, beating Bobby Abrams' single-round record of 24 runs set in 2005. Hamilton ended up with 35 runs in the game, but Hamilton lost in the final round to Justin Morneau as the scores were reset. At one point, he had 13 straight home runs, with seven others going further than 500 feet (150 meters). His longest home run was 518 feet. In 2006, as Hamilton was trying to return to baseball, he had a dream in which he was competing in a Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium, but he couldn't remember how many home runs he had hit. "This was like living the dream out," Hamilton said after the Derby, "because I didn't know the end to the story."

In the bottom of the ninth, Hamilton deliberately walked with the bases loaded against the Rays, leading 7–3. The Rays went on to win the game 7–4 on Wednesday. Hamilton was formerly the sixth player in history and the first American League player to receive an intentional walk with the bases loaded. After the game, Joe Maddon said, "We didn't want Hamilton to reach a home run." He has 28 years, and Marlon Byrd has eight. Hamilton came in seventh place in the AL MVP competition, behind Dustin Pedroia, Justin Morneau, Kevin Youkilis, Joe Mauer, Carlos Quentin, and Francisco Rodrez.

Hamilton led all players in RBIs with 27, and total bases with 59 in 81 at-bats in spring training. Shane Loux, the Angels' reliever, pitched a 460 ft (140 m) home run into the right field home run porch in the bottom of the eighth inning on May 15 in Arlington. Hamilton leaped at the wall in center field and slammed into it, robbing Howie Kendrick of a potential home run.

Hamilton was on the disabled list for a portion of 2009, with a bruised rib cage and an abdominal strain. They noticed a slight abdominal tear while visiting doctors in Philadelphia on June 8, 2009, and the doctor underwent a fruitful surgical procedure to repair it the next day. He was expected to be out in 4 to six weeks.

Despite being hospitalized, he was chosen by fan vote to participate in the 2009 All-Star game, where teammates Michael Young and Nelson Cruz joined him. In 2009, Hamilton batting.268 with 10 home runs and 54 RBIs.

A story that caused a lot of controversy when it was revealed that Hamilton had gotten drunk in a Arizona bar earlier this year. Hamilton later apologised for the accident.

Hamilton was moved to left field in 2010 to bring young outfielder Julio Borbon in center field. Hamilton was selected to start in the 2010 All-Star Game as one of six Rangers to represent the franchise in his previous two seasons. Hamilton's batting average stood at.346, tied for first in the AL with Miguel Cabrera.

With his 24th three-hit game of the season on August 27, he set a Rangers record. Hamilton strained his rib cage after making a leaping catch against the outfield wall on September 4, 2014. He was out for almost a month and returned to play in a short season with just three games remaining in the regular season, with just three games remaining in the regular season, with just three games remaining, including a home run the next day.

Hamilton's popularity and success earned him a variety of names, including "The Hammer"; "The Natural"; and "Hambone," referring to the great Babe Ruth; "The Wild"; and "Hambone," his high school nickname tattooed on his arm.

Hamilton won his first batting title in 2010 after averaging.359 percent. This was the fourth straightest batting average since the 2004 season. Despite missing 29 games due to an injury, he also finished fourth in Major League Baseball (.411), first in slugging percentage (.633) and OPS (1.044), and tied for 10th in home runs (32). Hamilton was also one of 25 players to have 100 RBIs. His success in 2010 made him a front-runner for the AL MVP Award. In 2010, Hamilton received the AL Players Choice Award for Outstanding Player.

The 2010 ALCS was won by Hamilton and the Rangers on October 22, 2010. It was the first time in Rangers' history that they had qualified for a World Series. In the ALCS win over the Yankees, he earned the ALCS MVP Award with four home runs, seven RBIs, and the recipient of many intentional walks. Hamilton was named the AL MVP on November 23, 2010.

Hamilton avoided arbitration by committing two years and $24 million with the Texas Rangers on February 10, 2011. On a play at home plate on April 12, he sustained a fractured to his right humerus. Hamilton began a rehabilitation stint with the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders on May 18, 2005. On May 23, he returned to the Rangers' lineup, going 2–4 against Chicago White Sox pitcher John Danks, his first home run of the season on the second pitch he saw during his first at-bat. In 2011, he was an All-Star.

A 39-year-old firefighter died after throwing a foul ball into the stands by Hamilton on July 7, during a home game at Rangers Ballpark. Shannon Stone, the fan, leaned over the rail to catch the ball but was 20 feet behind the scoreboard. He was taken to a hospital but died on the way. Hamilton was reportedly distraught after finding the news after the game. It was the third time a fan fell out of the Rangers Ballpark stands. For the first time since the shooting, the son of the deceased firefighter and his mother returned to Rangers Ballpark on September 30. To begin the American League Division Series, Cooper Stone's eight-year-old son threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Hamilton. Hamilton proceeded to give multiple hugs to the family.

Hamilton batted.298 with 25 home runs in 2011. He was third in sacrifice flies (10), sixth in intentional walks (13), and eighth in slugging percentage (.536).

During the month of April, Hamilton was rated as the league's AL Player of the Month for.395 with nine home runs and 25 RBI. With four other Rangers, his home run total for the month tied for a franchise record for the month. Hamilton was expected to be in a breakout season, batting for the Triple Crown and MVP.

Hamilton had five hits in five at-bats on May 8, beating four two-run home runs and a double for a total of eight runs batted in. Elvis Andrus was the only runner on base at any time, as shown by the above. He not only became the 16th player in MLB to hit four home runs in a single game, but also the first to do so since Carlos Delgado in 2003, but he now holds the American League record for most total bases in a single game with 18. Hamilton was just one base shy of tying a Major League record.

Hamilton was chosen to play in his fifth All-Star Game after collecting the most fan votes by any player in the history of the All-Star Game selection process. Prior to Hamilton's 2012 release of 7,454,753 votes, José Bautista tied for the second highest vote in 2011 until Hamilton took the highest number of 7,454,753 votes in 2012. Before 2015, Josh Donaldson got 14,090,188 votes, the record stood.

Before a game against the White Sox on July 29, Hamilton moved Hamilton to fifth place in the batting order and designated hitter. Hamilton had been hitting.190 with a slugging percentage of.374. On July 28, Washington said he moved Hamilton in the hopes of taking some of the pressure off him, but then he gave Hamilton the day off. Hamilton responded quickly—in a game on July 29 he took multiple walks for the first time in the month of July, and there was no strike out in seven games. He went 3–for-4 with a home run on July 30, his first game since May 11, when he was up for his first game with more than two hits since May 11.

Hamilton agreed in principle to a five-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on December 13, 2012. On December 15, the two agreements became official.

Hamilton played in 151 games with 32 doubles, 21 home runs, and 79 RBI in his first year with the Angels.

Hamilton batted.263 with 10 home runs and 44 RBIs in 2014, a record. Hamilton was injured in the ALDS against Kansas City (going 0–13 overall).

Hamilton underwent shoulder surgery in February 2015 to repair the AC joint. He was recovering, but it was discovered that he had a relapsed in his heroin use, which he voluntarily reported to MLB. Hamilton's voluntary admission did not breach baseball's drug policy, according to an outside arbitrator, and he could not be suspended. Despite the ruling, team owner Arte Moreno made remarks to the media, saying he did not want Hamilton back on the team. In addition, all Hamilton-related products were stripped and recalled from all shops, as well as a standardized exchange service. In Hamilton's defense, several Angels players and the Players Association all spoke out. The Angels began to lay out a rehabilitation program for him, but immediately thereafter, news broke where the Angels were attempting to trade Hamilton.

Hamilton was traded back to the Rangers on April 27, 2015, either for cash or a player to be announced later. Hamilton was called up to the Rangers AA and AAA Minor League affiliates in Cleveland on May 24, and was inserted into the starting lineup against the Indians on May 25, following a short recovery stint to recover his injured shoulder. On May 27, he scored his first hit back with the Rangers. Hamilton had a major series against the Boston Red Sox from May 28 to July 15, 2015. Hamilton returned to Texas for the first time in a Rangers uniform since leaving the team after the 2012 season. On the first pitch he saw, he was given a standing ovation from the crowd and went to hit a double. Hamilton lost 5–1 in the game, going 2–4 on the only run for his own team in the game. Hamilton played two home runs in his first multi-homer game with the Rangers since 2012, leading to a 7–4 victory. He defeated the Red Sox in a walk-off contest two days later, 4–3. In a 7–6 Rangers' victory over the New York Yankees on July 30, 2015, Hamilton had four RBI, a home run, and a walk off base.

Hamilton's first hit in the ALDS was a single in Game 3. At 31 at-bats, which tied for second place all time, this came to an end.

Hamilton was on the 15-day injured list going into the 2016 season. After recovering from knee surgery for the third time in nine months, Hamilton did not return for the entire 2016 season on May 25, 2016. Hamilton was activated from the injured list and released him on August 23, the Rangers' first move before the October 1st allows them to play Hamilton in the major leagues until May 15, 2017.

Hamilton was re-signed by Texas to a minor-league contract on January 16, with the intention of him playing out at first base.

Hamilton's left knee had pains in his left knee again on February 26, the same knee that had undergone surgery on June 8 of the previous season. Hamilton would have to have another operation, putting his career in jeopardy, according to a seeker's opinion with Dr. Walt Lowe, an orthopedic surgeon in Houston. Hamilton underwent knee surgery on February 27 to repair torn cartilage that was causing pain. Up to three months of recovery time were needed. Hamilton was released on April 21 after revealing he sustained a right knee injury while recovering for the left knee injury.

Hamilton's batting average (1,290-for-T-909) had 609 runs, 234 triples, 200 home runs, 701 base runs, 516 bases on balls, and.516 slugging percentage in 1,027 games over nine seasons. He had a 98 percent fielding percentage at all three outfield positions, which was defensive. He hit.202 (33-for-163) in 42 games, including 18 runs, 9 doubles, 6 home runs, 23 RBI, 4 stolen bases, and 15 walks for a.633 OPS total.

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