Josh Hamilton’s troubled journey through MLB and his addictions - Part 3
Hamilton couldn’t live up to the hits or hype he produced in his last season but he wasn’t playing bad by any means. He was above average statistically but his injuries did affect his slugging average which dropped about a hundred points. However all of
this was overshadowed by the fact that photos of him being in a drunken state were published all over the web. As soon as the news broke, Hamilton was quick to go public and apologise profusely for letting his fans and his team down due to one-time at a club
in Arizona. Within two days, Hamilton was able to pass the drug test, which meant that it really was a one-time thing and Hamilton was fine.
After an outstanding 2008 season, a somewhat shaky 2009, 2010 was the year for Hamilton. He was better than ever and he performed like never before. Josh was the perfect embodiment of an all rounder super star no matter what position he was assigned. At
the plate, in the bases or on the field Hamilton was just as good as the aces of that particular position. By the time August rolled around he was one of the league leaders for having the highest hits, runs, slugging percentage, homers and RBIs.
The Rangers were on their way to the World Series Championship with the acquisition of players like Vladimir Guerrero, CJ Wilson, Tommy Hunter and Cliff Lee. However, even with the presence of all these established mega stars, it was unarguable that Hamilton
was the driving force in the team. His performances made him the top candidate for the American League Most Valued Player Award.
Hamilton provided whatever was needed for the team, if it was a hit they wanted, it was a hit he gave. He never gave up extra plays in the outfield and was so determined to do this that once he collided with a wall in his attempts to do so when the team
was in Minnesota and had several fractured ribs from the intensity. He wrapped up the year with 32 home-runs and a whopping 100 RBIs.
His fractured ribs prevented him from performing like he would have wanted to. Although he tried hard to perform he couldn’t because even though it wasn’t a serious injury, his ribs did bother him. Thankfully for Texas, they had Cliff Lee, another power
house performer who led the Rangers to the ALCS.
With Hamilton back, the team’s confidence was as high as could be and they advanced to the World Series for the first time since the franchise came into being. Hamilton was definitely the catalyst and he was powered by Lee and Lewis. When they went against
the New York Yankees, they didn’t know how to handle Josh. They walked him an astounding eight times and logically he was the top choice for the American League Championship Series Most Valued Player.
This season he had been performing very well, as expected, but he was recently sent to the Disabled List due to an injury while he was trying to get to the base.
Baseball players have to go through intense media scrutiny, but for Hamilton the same scrutiny is much more intensified. Baseball fans have had the privilege to watch one of the best players in baseballs journey through his ups and downs, and didn’t give
up on his greatness. Hamilton it seems is back on track and is clean and sober for good. He may have many mountains to climb ahead of him but given his past they would not be much against the ones he has already ascended.
Hamilton is often praised for having one of the best swings in baseball due to the smoothness and power it possesses. He has never been the one to swing at bad pitches and is often seen practicing hours before the game begins. Hamilton knows the strike zone
like the back of his hand and that information helps him be the great hitter that he is. He fully utilises the entire field which makes the job harder for the pitcher he’s batting against.
His instincts are sharp and flawless and he is his own critic. This trait helps him evaluate what he did right, wrong and what could’ve been done better at the end of every game under the guidance of his coaches. Hamilton’s arm is said to be one of the strongest
in all of American League. He shares his experience of his tainted past with people who are suffering from the same issues in hopes to help them recover. Although Hamilton’s friends and team-mates still worry about a relapse, those worries are slowly deteriorating
now.
Tags: