The Josh Hamilton story
May 28, 2008
I was there for the short Nolan Ryan era in Arlington, Texas. I was there when newcomers Pudge Rodriguez and Juan Gonzalez burst on the scene and took the Texas Rangers to the playoffs three times.
I sat on the hard steel bleachers (the kind that put the lines in your butt) in the outfield at the old Arlington Stadium, and I was there for the opening of the beautiful Ballpark in 1994.
I’m a huge Texas Rangers fan … through thick and thin. The current era of Rangers baseball is the “thin” part, but thanks to a North Carolina boy, things are looking up.
For a while, Josh Hamilton was on a path to be one of the saddest stories in baseball — a phenom from Athens High School in Raleigh who took his multi-million dollar contract out of college and wasted it in on drugs (the hard kind) and booze (the hard kind).
But Hamilton has turned his career around in Texas this year, currently leading or almost leading the American league in the three Triple Crown categories — batting average, home runs and RBI. Sports Illustrated has written a fascinating article on him, dubbing him The Natural.
Here’s an excerpt:
He is sitting in the video room at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, speaking in his soft North Carolina drawl, a plug of tobacco inside his left cheek. He’s wearing a T-shirt and shorts, and the 26 tattoos he acquired during his years bingeing on booze and drugs are exposed. Satan’s face gazes out from the crook of his left elbow, blue flames shoot down both his forearms; he now regrets getting every one of them.
Entry Filed under: Random. Tags: Josh Hamilton, North Carolina, Sports Illustrated, Texas Rangers.
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1.
Al Roethlisberger | May 28, 2008 at 5:57 pm
That is a sad story to squander such an opportunity. Hopefully he does indeed have his life back on track.
But ah Arlington, where I spent my High School years at Lamar High School
I actually lived practically across the street from the Stadium in Arlington from 1983 through 1987. Days when games were scheduled were always “a lot of fun” when Stadium Drive(which in my street, Holt, intersected) was packed with folks going to the game
But it was nice to be able to just cross the street to Six Flags. I had an enormous 4 story tree house in the woods nearby(now a subdivision) that you could see from the Six Flags “derrick” observation deck.
Al
P.S.
More “small world”, did you know that there is an “East Sanford Street” that intersects Stadium Drive in Arlington?
2.
Tony Pyland | May 28, 2008 at 10:45 pm
I miss that Texas Rangers squad. I also miss Jeff Bagwell, Caig Biggio, and Ken Caminiti later in the Astros Enron Field….err…Minute Maid Park early days.
3.
Bob St Clair | May 28, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Read this SI story and admire a kid that wants to turn their life around.
Looks like this kid is doing the right thing, going in the right direction, with the right people.
THanks for sharing his story with us Billy.
4.
Greg | May 29, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Too bad he’s not going to be able to help the Rangers until they get some pitching.
5.
James Morris | October 8, 2008 at 11:57 pm
I was asked to review Hamilton’s book, Beyond Belief, by Hachett Book Group, which published the book. The review can be viewed at: http://www.rotorob.com/2008/10/08/reviewing-beyond-belief-by-josh-hamilton/
6.
mikec | November 12, 2008 at 2:13 pm
My comment is that Al R. is an idiot.
“Sad story…..”
It’s a poignant, deep story with a promising beginning, a potentially tragic next chapter and an inspiring ascent ever since.
7.
Goldia Liles | May 8, 2009 at 1:49 pm
May God continue to bless you as you will fight your battle the rest of your life. I know you will win this battle as long as you continue to put your faith and life in the hands of God.