Josh Hamilton's Baseball Comeback

MLB Hitter Heads to Arlington as CF Starter for the Rangers

In 2007, Josh Hamilton defied the odds and became the heartwarming story of the baseball season. This chapter of his life was one about turning his life around and being able to fight off the drug problem that practically ruined his life, let alone a baseball career.

After being the top overall pick in baseball's free agent draft of 1999, Hamilton showed promise early on in minor league ball, and looked like he was a star in the making. But, he battled injuries and a serious car accident that kept him off the field.

Along the way, the quiet kid from Raleigh, NC found himself with an addiction to cocaine. He was unsuccessful early on battling this addiction, and eventually was kicked out of the game for several years and looked like he would never resume his playing career. He did have several setbacks. But, with a family now in his life, he got the support he so much needed and was able to stay clean. Baseball eventually let him back in, and the Reds took a shot on him.

Josh Hamilton took advantage of the opportunity; he tore the cover off the ball in Spring Training, and made the opening day 25 man roster. On opening day, he got the call on the bench, and made his Major League debut. At the age of 25, he is not the 35-year-old player Robert Redford played in that incredible movie The Natural. However, what Josh has been through just to get to this point sure parallels the story.

Josh not only showed he belonged but went on to become the starting outfielder for the Reds. He showed the ability to hit the long ball, and his bat speed was still in existence. Here's Josh Hamilton’s 2007 data with the Reds; its clear he is one of the better CFs in baseball.

* OPS : .922 (Sizemore 0.852, Rowland 0.889 , Beltran .878) * OPS -PrOPS : - 0.18 (Sizemore 0.001, Rowland 0.050 , Beltran -0.025) * RC: 58.1 (Sizemore 122.4, Rowland 111.9 , Beltran 107.1) * VORP: 26.4 (Sizemore 53.8, Rowland 52.0 , Beltran 51.1) * GroundBalls:107 (Sizemore 155, Rowland 214 , Beltran 173) * Fly Balls:77 (Sizemore 204, Rowland 177 , Beltran 187) * G/F: 1.39 (Sizemore 0.76, Rowland 1.21 , Beltran 0.93) * Win Shares : 13 (Sizemore 31, Rowland 23 , Beltran 27) * PMR(defense) : 102.62 (Sizemore 97.93, Rowland 99.27 , Beltran 102.13)

Now, fast forward one year and the journey continues, but the story has changed a little bit. This off-season Josh Hamilton was the subject of trade rumors, and eventually he was traded to the Texas Rangers for right-handed starter Edinson Volquez and near MLB ready left-handed reliever Daniel Herrera.

The good thing about this deal for Josh is he heads to Arlington as the CF starter for the Rangers. Although the numbers say Texas is not as great of a park for MLB hitters, I still think Texas is a good hitters park. Josh is walking into a good place for him with the year of success under his belt and a nice array of quality young players. Hamilton’s competition Marlon Byrd is the subject of trade rumors, and more than likely could be playing elsewhere in 2008.