Hall of Fame - Josh Hamilton - Essay Example

Hamilton has overcome serious personal obstacles to become a record-setting baseball player and a humanitarian off the field.

Josh Hamilton was the first pick in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft in 1999, chosen by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Hamilton was eighteen years old when he was drafted. Before being drafted, Hamilton played centered field and pitcher in high school and was clocked at an amazing 96mph when he pitched a fastball. Josh Hamilton was given the honor of North Carolina’s Player of the Year in 1997 and 1998. He also made the cover of an issue of Baseball America while he was still in high school. (Black Book Partners)

While playing for the Tampa Bay minor league team, Josh was the youngest player ever to be invited to the All-star Futures Game. This is an annual game played the Sunday before the Major League All-star Game featuring a matchup of top minor league prospects from all over the world. He was named Co-MVP of the Southern League and voted in as the Minor League Player of the Year by USA Today.

In 2003, Josh Hamilton began a long struggle with addictions to alcohol and drugs, particularly cocaine. He made attempts, though unsuccessful, at rehabilitation at the Betty Ford Clinic, and his use of drugs began to affect his efforts on the field and he was ultimately suspended from professional baseball. After all, was said and done, Hamilton ended up losing his wife and children along with his home due to his severe drug problem.

Vowing to get clean and sober, Josh Hamilton went to work at The Winning Inning complex in Clearwater, FL. The Winning Inning is a facility that teaches the fundamentals of baseball while providing strong Christian surroundings. Hamilton performed maintenance and janitorial duties while detoxifying himself and lessoning the hold alcohol and drugs had over him.

Josh Hamilton returned to professional baseball in 2007. Hamilton was chosen by the Chicago Cubs in the Rule 5 Draft in December and allowed to return to Major League Baseball. He was swiftly traded to the Cincinnati Reds that same year. He was then acquired by the Texas Rangers in 2008. Hamilton went on to win Player of the Month in both April and May of 2008. Josh Hamilton’s biggest achievement in 2008 came when he set a record in the Home Run Derby that year by hitting an astounding twenty-eight home runs in the first round of the competition (Press). Hamilton’s most recent accomplishment was his being named the 2010 American League’s Most Valuable Player. In addition to his on-field accomplishments after returning to baseball, Hamilton spends his free time speaking to large audiences around the country about his struggle with alcohol and drugs.

The Hall of Fame for any sport or other activity is a showcase of the best participants in that field based on major accomplishments achieved throughout their careers. The Baseball Hall of Fame has a long and illustrious history including players from the first days of the game. There are many different reasons a player could be named to the Hall of Fame and while accomplishments on the field are a major factor, actions off of the field are of no less importance. Instead of succumbing to his missteps, he used his single-minded determination to redeem himself both publicly and professionally. Josh humbled himself to perform duties such as cleaning and performing routine maintenance jobs instead of taking an easier approach to rehabilitation but teaching baseball fundamentals.

Fortunately, the hard work combined with the baseball and Christian surroundings enabled Josh to recover from his addictions and reach a successful level of sobriety. When Hamilton returned to Major League Baseball, he took full advantage of his second chance, breaking a significant record and being honored as a Most Valuable Player. Nevertheless, Josh Hamilton did not forget how fortunate he was and regularly speaks to the public about his own mistakes in the past and is an inspiration to those who may be in similar situations, or struggling with addictions. He is an example of someone who cannot only overcome his demons but conquer them and succeed for the rest of his life. With his past actions and a continuance along this path, Josh Hamilton is an ideal candidate for the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Read More