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Josh Hamilton Comes Back To LifeSlugger Overcomes Addictions and Is On Pace for a Triple CrownSidelined from the game for years, Josh Hamilton's return to baseball has been nothing short of miraculous.
After losing almost five years of his baseball career to injuries and drug addiction, Josh Hamilton isn't just playing in the major leagues; he's dominating. In just his second full season in the bigs, Hamilton is making a big name for himself deep in the heart of Texas. If he stays on his pace, Josh Hamilton could win baseball's first Triple Crown in more than 40 years. Things are sure looking good for the 28-year outfielder. But things haven't always gone smoothly for Josh. His baseball life started out well, but took a detour that almost cost him everything. After dominating in the high school ranks, Hamilton was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays with the Number One overall pick of the 1999 Amateur Draft. In his first year in the minors, Hamilton helped the Hudson Valley Renegades to their first and only New York Penn League title. In 2000, he hit .302 with 13 home runs and 61 RBI in 96 games for the Charleston River Dogs. Very quickly, Hamilton was living up to the great things that so many people expected from him. Injuries Lead To More Serious ProblemsAfter the 2000 season, however, Hamilton was injured in a car accident. and his rehabilitation caused him to miss all but 27 games of the 2001 season. When he returned in 2002, Hamilton played for the Bakersfield Blaze, and hit .303 with 9 HR and 44 RBI in the team’s first 56 games. But back and shoulder injuries forced him to the disabled list in June, and shortly thereafter, Hamilton was suspended for violating the MLB's substance abuse policy. Hamilton returned for spring training In 2003, but then he disappeared for six weeks after being reassigned to minor-league camp. When he returned, manager Lou Piniella sent Hamilton home, telling him to get his life straight. He remained away from the team for most of the season due to "undisclosed off-field problems". He then checked himself into a drug rehabilitation facility, but did not complete the program on the first of many failed attempts. Hamilton's drug problems became public knowledge when Major League Baseball suspended him for 30 days on February 18, 2004, for failing a drug test. The suspension was later extended indefinitely. Hamilton went to rehab eight times before he finally conquered his drug problems. After he was reinstated, Hamilton was picked up by the Cincinnati Reds organization. He spent 2006 in the minors, but Hamilton played for the Reds last season. In just under 300 at-bats, he showed a great deal of promise by hitting .292 with 19 homers and 47 RBI. Hamilton Traded to Rangers Before 2008 SeasonAn offseason trade sent Hamilton to the Texas Rangers. He has adjusted well to his new surroundings. Through the team's first 58 games, Hamilton is batting .331 with 17 home runs and 68 RBI. As of June 4, 2008 he leads the American League in both home runs and RBI, and is just a few points behind Hideki Matsui in the batting race. Could this guy, back from the darkness, be the first player to win a Triple Crown since Yaz in 1967? Who knows. Anything can happen. As Josh Hamilton knows all too well.
The copyright of the article Josh Hamilton Comes Back To Life in Baseball is owned by James Lincoln Ray. Permission to republish Josh Hamilton Comes Back To Life in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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