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Josh Hamilton: American Hero, American Idol, and an All-American Inspiration
1 comments Posted by Mike Juan at 2:17 PM Religion is oftentimes a motivating factor for change. It is also a very powerful one. This was none the less more evident in last night's Home Run Derby in historic Yankee Stadium.
Josh Hamilton was a premier prospect hailing from North Carolina. There he was named Gatorade Player of the Year two years in a row. Coming out of high school, he was highly touted as a prodigious outfielder with a lethal five-tool skill set as well as an overpowering pitcher. He was a talent that was only seen once in a decade. And because of that the Devil Rays used their number 1 overall pick in the 1999 MLB draft to select this phenom.
His first two years in the minor leagues were successful, but a car accident in early 2001 derailed Josh's career and forever changed his life, for better and for worse. His mother was in the car with him and was injured so she had to go home to Josh's father. Josh was no living by himself and was lured into the world of drugs, alcohol and other narcotics. Josh failed multiple drug tests and was suspended on multiple occasions, but his addiction wouldn't allow him to stop.
From the start of 2003 to 2006, Josh Hamilton was out of baseball. He tried multiple times to be reinstated, but was denied that opportunity. On June 2, 2006, Josh was reinstated and was allowed to work out in the Tampa Bay minor league facilities.
The following year, the Chicago Cubs selected Josh in the Rule 5 Draft, but then sold him to the Cincinnati Reds for $100,000.
Coming out of the 2007 Reds spring training camp, Josh was slated as the 4th outfielder. But once injuries settled in, Josh took advantage of his situation. His first major league hit was a home run off Edgar Gonazalez, April 10th against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Though injuries to him cut his season short, he put off mighty impressive numbers. He was among the top rookies in slugging percentage and in homeruns. If it wasn't for Ryan Braun's magnificent season and for injuries, Hamilton might have found himself as the NL Rookie of the Year.
During the 2007-08 off season, the Texas Rangers and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a trade that would send Edison Volquez and another minor leaguer to the Reds and Josh Hamilton to the Rangers. This trade worked out marvelously for both sides as Hamilton is a Triple Crown Candidate in the AL this year and Volquez is putting up NL CY Young Award-winning numbers.
Josh had to endure so much during his layoff from baseball from 2003-2006. Those couple years were a struggle both mentally and physically. During these years away from baseball, Josh found Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He admits that he has been clean since October 6, 2005. He has spoken to many groups of people about finding Christianity and how it saved his life.
Josh's road to recovery was incredible for this young man and culminated in being named to the American League All-Star team as a starter in the outfield. He was also a finalist in the home run derby. Josh set the record for most home runs in the first round with an astounding 28, but was unable to seal the deal in the final round. Regardless, Josh was a hero in all eyes in New York. He has just gone from a name that nobody knew to a humble star that has inspired many to overcome what life's thrown in their direction and to look to God for guidance in their time of need. Josh Hamilton is a true American hero and it is about time that he had stepped up to the big stage and received the recognition that he deserved.
