No one has had a better start to the MLB season than Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton.
Hamilton has been absolutely crushing the ball this season, in 34 games Josh has hit 18 home runs, 44 RBIs, and has an average of .402.
Nothing short of incredible, in fact, Josh also showcased his talents in a game on May 8 when he hit four home runs against the Orioles — in just one game!
It’s been a phenomenal season so far for Hamilton, he is on pace to shatter records and right now would be the clear winner of the MVP, although yes, it is extremely early in the season.
For the last two years the Rangers have made it to the World Series and have come very close to winning the title, it is highly unlikely that they would make it back again this season, but with someone like Hamilton you can’t count them out.
In fact, Josh has helped lead the Rangers to their current first place position in the AL West, leading the division by five games.
Definitely one of the biggest stories so far on this young season, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s yet another chapter in the story of Josh Hamilton.
Think back to where this story began and you will see just how far he has come. In 1999, Josh was selected number 1 overall by Tampa, he was supposed to become the next great thing in baseball, young prospect with loads of potential.
Unfortunately, after signing with the Rays and earning a $3.96 million signing bonus, Hamilton entered into the minor league system.
His potential did not shine much until just recently, for the first several years of his career Hamilton struggled with drug and alcohol addictions.
Driving him to the point of collapse, until 2005 when he ended a four year battle with his addiction.
What straightened out Hamilton? Well he has said that, “It’s a God thing.”
Josh has found a new sense of peace since coming to know the Lord over the last several years. His new found faith in Jesus Christ has made Josh a new man.
Hamilton often speaks in front of big crowds about his story and his past addiction, giving his testimony on how God has worked in his life and has brought him out of his dark state.
It is a beautiful thing to see what God can do with such a broken man. Hamilton was supposed to be the next big star in the MLB until he let drugs and alcohol hinder his path. All seemed lost and there looked to be no hope, but God had a plan for Hamilton and delivered him out of his addiction. Now Hamilton has been clean for years, and lives a new life that brings glory to God.
Now Josh is back on top of the MLB world, leading the Rangers back for another playoff surge. And what is really awesome about Hamilton is not how many home runs or RBIs he hits, although those are great things. But who it is that he plays for. He doesn’t play for himself but for the one that created him. And not just the one that created him, but the one that also saved him and made him new again.
Tyler Rollason is a Winder-Barrow High School graduate and mass communications major at the University of West Georgia. You can e-mail comments about this column to tyrollason@yahoo.com.
