Many, if not most of us, have either struggled with some form of addiction ourselves or we know someone who has. Whether it be drugs, alcohol, gambling or any other vice, we have seen how these destructive behaviors can not only tragically affect the life of the user, but can wreak havoc on the lives of those around them.
Josh Hamilton's story would be typical of today's top athletes had everything went according to plan. He would probably receive the same adoration and criticism of athletes of similar abilities like Alex Rodriguez, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, etc. if he had taken the easy road to the big leagues.
People would just talk about why he is overpaid, or why it is all his fault his team is losing or how great he is.... you know, all of the typical water cooler banter.
Instead, Josh Hamilton took a long, life altering road to the big leagues that is nothing short of amazing. He was the number one overall pick in the 1999 MLB draft, by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the first position player taken in that spot since A-Rod. Yes he was that damned good. He was considered a 5-tool player as an outfielder, but he could also pitch. His fastball came at batters at 98 mph- IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Josh was injured in a car accident in 2001 and life as he knew it would change forever. Shortly after the accident, Josh Hamilton was unable to play baseball and was all alone in the world for the first time in his life- with close to $4 million at his disposal. He started "actively" hanging out at a nearby FL tattoo parlor (he now has 26 tattoos) and soon had his first drink of alcohol and tried cocaine for the first time.
He was also recently profiled in the May 2008 issue of Maxim Magazine.
In short, he was suspended from baseball for about three years for substance abuse- he was an alcoholic and a crack-cocaine addict. Here is a guy, your All-American high school kid whose road to the future was paved with gold and whose potential was absolutely limitless, who became a self admitted drunken crackhead for three years.
Josh Hamilton's body is now a rigidly sculpted 6'4" 235 lb machine with size 19 feet acting as a base. During his years astray, he had withered to 180 lbs because of his cocaine addiction. Baseball never entered his mind, a mind which was then only concerned with where the next high would come from.
His story goes to show that no matter how great life is, it can turn sour in a heartbeat, though in his case, he rightfully accepts all blame. But more importantly, it shows that no matter how hellish you allow your life to become, you do possess the power to turn things around.
Josh Hamilton attributes his recovery to finding salvation through Jesus Christ, and many drug rehabilitation studies show that faith and religion often plays a major part in successful recovery.
I am a long time Texas Rangers Baseball fan and I hope they realize what a steal they got for Josh Hamilton. The Rangers are not known for making the most intelligent front office moves in baseball and many critics actually questioned this move. But the bigger mistake will be to let Josh realize his potential and then trade him away like they have so many other talented players before him
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