If you watched this guy in the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium, you should know how talented he is. If you've been following him this season, you should realize how great he is. If you followed his rookie season last year with the Reds (.292/19 HR/47 RBI/298 AB), you should have also realized how much potential he has.
Josh Hamilton is hitting .310 with 21 homers and a stunning 95 RBI. He's a monster to say the least. Hamilton is on pace to hit over 160 RBI and he's bringing positive national attention to a team that hasn't been in the spotlight since the "A-Rod era."
Josh Hamilton: definite AL MVP candidate, a superstar on the best offense in baseball, and he's only making $397,000. Look for this guy to get an impressive A-Rod-like contract if he keeps raking.
However, something has been troubling me since Hamilton became a hero overnight. As we all know, he has dealt with drug and alcohol problems, impeding his progress as a major league ballplayer.
From 2002 through most of 2006 as a minor leaguer, Hamilton did not appear in a single baseball game until the end of the 2006 season when he played 15 games for the Hudson Valley Renegades (Class A-short season affiliate of the Rays).
During his period of absence, Hamilton had a spiritual awakening and turned his addiction over to a higher power. Since the start of this season, Hamilton has been labeled as a "great player" but also a "great story."
What does that mean exactly? That he was smart enough and cared enough to give up drugs? He loved the game more than his nasty habits?
I say he's just a heck of a player. What he does behind closed doors is none of my business and, frankly, nobody else's. The fact that he had enough discipline to quit his addictions is truly honorable, but that shouldn't be the centerpiece of the Josh Hamilton hysteria.
He's having an amazing season and he's on his way to the top of the league at the young age of 27.
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2 months ago
Josh Hamilton is...we can't even put it into words! He's unreal.
2 months ago
is that a picture of mark teixeira?
from 2 months ago
yes it is and it got misslabeled somehow and tons of people keeping using it for Hamilton stories
from 2 months ago
I edited it now, lol.
2 months ago
Josh Hamilton's story is "great" because it's inspirational. It's a comeback story. It's a story about someone making bad choices, then turning around and becoming a success. Stories like his inspire others to try and do the same. Sorry you can't understand that.
2 months ago
Good Article, and a fascinating premise. I thought about writing something similar, possibly more controversial, but I didn't want to crap in the middle of the party. You've inspired me man, good work.
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