Hamilton’s baseball journey started when he was the first overall pick of the 1999 baseball draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. In 2001, Hamilton was in a car accident and at that point started experimenting with drugs. He played sparingly in 2001 due to injuries and drug use. Between 2002 and 2006, Hamilton didn’t play baseball at all. He failed numerous drug tests and had many failed stints in rehab.

In 2006, Hamilton started getting his life back in order and started playing baseball again. He finally made it to the big leagues in 2007 as a member of the Cincinnati Reds. However, during the offseason, Hamilton was traded to the Texas Rangers.

In 2008, Hamilton has been tremendous. He’s leading the American League in homers (19) and RBIs (76), while posting a .312 batting average. Hamilton is now clean, sober and playing the best baseball of his life. He’s truly the ultimate feel good story in baseball this season. And if he keeps it up, he could cap off his story with an AL MVP award.

Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers is proving there is hope for everyone.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Gonzalez spent parts of six seasons in the majors. He best seasons came in 1997 in his rookie year as a member of the Chicago Cubs. That season, Gonzalez went 11-9 with a 4.25 ERA.

In 2003, Gonzalez was one of the best comeback stories in all of baseball. After four years out of the game, he returned to start 25 times for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He had an ERA of 3.92 in those 25 starts.

The lightning strike occurred at a Venezuelan beach. Besides the Cubs and Devil Rays, Gonzalez also pitched for the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers.

Post from: Knuckle Curve