Josh Hamilton, Retired


Date of Birth: 5/21/1981
Birthplace: Raleigh, North Carolina

Josh Hamilton, retired left fielder, was a star player in high school, with a batting average of .529. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 1999 and he spent his first two years with them in their minor league teams. From 2001 through 2005, Hamilton's career was put on hold as he dealt with drug and alcohol addictions and rehabilitation efforts.

In 2006, Hamilton was drafted by the Chicago Cubs and then traded to the Cincinnati Reds. He played with the Reds in 2007 but injuries limited his playing time to 90 games. He ended the season with a .292 batting average, 87 hits, 17 doubles, and 19 home runs.

In December, 2007, the Reds traded Hamilton to the Texas Rangers. That trade turned out to be a good move for both Hamilton and the Rangers. In 2008, he led the American League in RBIs and he won his first of three Silver Slugger awards.

During his time with the Rangers, Hamilton played all three outfield positions, with the greatest number of games played in center field. His best season was 2010, when he won the American League MVP award, a second Silver Slugger award, and the American League Championship series MVP award. He also earned the American League batting title that season.

Hamilton won his third Silver Slugger award in 2012, his last season with the Rangers. He became a free agent at the end of the 2012 season and he signed a five-year, $125 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He finished the 2014 season with 89 hits, 21 doubles, and a .263 batting average in 89 games. In the postseason, he had no hits in 13 at-bats in 3 games.

Hamilton had shoulder surgery in February, 2015. At that time, he also admitted to relapsing into his old drug addiction habits. The Angels traded him back to the Rangers on April 27, 2015. After recovering from his surgery and his drug addiction problems, he played in 50 games with the Rangers and he had 43 hits and a .253 batting average. In the postseason, he had 18 at-bats in 5 games and he batted .167 with 3 hits and 5 strikeouts.

Hamilton spent the entire 2016 season on the DL He had knee surgery at the end of May.

Hamilton signed a minor league contract with the Rangers on January 17, 2017. He was released on April 21, 2017, and he didn't play professional baseball all season.

Hamilton retired in 2017.

Statistics for Hamilton in nine seasons (2007-2015) in the major leagues include:

  • 2 seasons with a batting average over .300, with a high of .359 in 2010
  • 3 seasons with 150 or more hits, with a high of 190 in 2008
  • 5 seasons with over 30 doubles, with a high of 40 in 2010
  • 5 seasons with over 20 home runs, with a high of 43 in 2012 3 seasons with 100 or more RBIs, with a high of 130 in 2008

Career batting statistics for Hamilton through 2015 include:

  • 1,027 games played
  • 1,134 hits
  • 234 doubles
  • 200 home runs
  • 701 RBIs
  • 938 strikeouts to 352 walks
  • .290 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Hamilton as an outfielder through 2015 include:

  • 392 games played in left field, 421 games played in center field, 164 games played in right field
  • 1,956 putouts
  • 40 errors

Charitable Work

In 2008, Hamilton started the Triple Play Ministries foundation. Through the foundation, he helped build an orphanage in Uganda. The foundation also hosts baseball camps for children. More information on the foundation can be found at tripleplayministries.com.

Hamilton and his wife Katie established a second foundation, The Four Twelve Foundation, in 2012. This foundation helps oppressed and vulnerable people. More information can be found at joshhamilton.net/fourtwelve-foundation.

Personal Life

Hamilton married his wife Katie in 2004. They have three daughters. His wife also has a daughter from a former relationship.

Hamilton was arrested on October 30, 2019, and again on April 8, 2020, for physically assaulting one of his daughters.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Josh Hamilton
ESPN Sports - Josh Hamilton