Josh Hamilton

Josh Hamilton at the 2009 MLB All-Star Game (flairforthedramatic.mlblogs.com)

The Texas Rangers celebrated the 2010 National League West Division title with a traditional champagne bath. The only problem, Josh Hamilton, their starting center fielder and the AL MVP, was not there. Hamilton had decided that he couldn't celebrate with his teammates because of the alcohol. Just a few years ago he would have jumped at any chance to drink a little and party some. But these days he is a changed man. Hamilton always had great baseball skills, but at the beginning of his career Hamilton went through a period of alcoholism and drug addiction before mounting a comeback all the way to the major leagues.

Josh Hamilton was the number one pick in the 1999 MLB Draft straight out of high school. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays, his new team, expected Hamilton to make an immediate impact, but instead he got injured and got into trouble, acquiring an addiction to drugs and alcohol. In 2003 his problem got too big for his team to ignore and he was kicked out of baseball. After two years out of baseball Hamilton decided to begin fighting his addiction and trying to get back in. It took him another year but eventually he succeeded, returning to baseball and immediately making an impact with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Hamilton played well but the Devil Rays had already lost all confidence in him.

In 2007 Hamilton was acquired by the Cincinnati Reds and immediately given a chance to play in the Major Leagues. This time he had immediate success smashing 19 home runs that year despite playing in only 90 games. Still, life was not easy for Hamilton. After games some of his teammates would go out for drinks at a local bar but Hamilton could not go with them. In fact he did not even allow himself to have more than 20 dollars available in his wallet at any time. That way even if he could not stop himself from getting a drink he would only have enough money for one or two. At the end of the season Hamilton got traded again, this time to the Texas Rangers.

Hamilton’s arrival in Texas signaled a new phase in his career. He was now several years removed from alcoholism and ready to burst into stardom. He did so in 2008 with 32 home runs, 135 RBI's and a .304 AVG. As the season came to a close the name Josh Hamilton became well known amongst baseball fans and people started to ask, "Where did this guy come from?" It was during this time that Josh Hamilton showed some really amazing courage, he jumped on the chance to tell others about his life especially the low points of it. He reached out and tried to help others stuck in a rut just like his. But most importantly, he did not try to hide the truth.

These days tattoos cover Hamilton’s arms, all of which were acquired, he says, during his bout of addiction. He keeps them as a reminder to never return to the old life. In 2010 when the Rangers won the AL Championship the players elected to break tradition and celebrate not with champagne but with Ginger Ale so that their teammate and friend could join them. This example demonstrates the effect Hamilton has on others, they love having him around. Josh Hamilton is my hero because of his determination and his resiliency. Most of all however he is my hero because he has the courage to own up to his actions, accept the consequences, and move on.