I was at a batting cage last night getting ready for a game against southern high school the next day. A guy that likes to help me sometimes for free was in their throwing to me, and then he starts talking to this guy. It was Josh Hamilton the first round overall pick one year outta high school. So anyway he actually was good friends with the guy I was working with in High School, so Josh worked in with me. It was awesome. It actually inspired me because I was like hey this guy was the best player in the country and the way he was hitting wasn't like awesome, so I no if I keep working hard I can get to that level.

See my post in the General Discussion. Beware he wasn't hitting well because he has been suspended from baseball for drug use and hasn't played since the end of the 2003 season.

I saw Josh in HS and at the State Games when he was at Athens Drive HS. The reason he was the overall #1 pick is because he was 6'4 210 ran a 6.6 60 threw from the left side in the 90's and could flat out mash. He is the best HS player I have ever seen. You dont get to be the #1 overall pick in the draft for nothing. His problems started when he was envolved in an auto accident and was put on pain killers for a back injury. While out of action he and in severe pain he turned to illegal drugs. No excuse but that is the deal. I hope he makes it all the way back and has his act cleaned up. I have seen alot of talented players but he was the most physically gifted that I have ever seen in HS.

Coach May

Thank you for saying that.
TPM sent me an article about his accident
and I understood his addiction came from
the intense pain he was trying to get beyond.
Very sad, and I hope he beats it, too.

Where did all the tatoos come from? Unfortunately, Hamilton's problems run far, far deeper than an auto accident.

I met Josh and knew several people close to him while he was in HS. He was an outstanding young man that never got into any trouble. He got his hands on alot of money at a very young age. He went down to Fla and was exposed to some stuff that he could not handle. He did have an accident and was on pain killers. Now did that lead to him using illegal drugs I dont know only he does. He has made alot of mistakes that is for sure. I hope that he has it together and I for one wish him the best.

There was a good article about Josh a while back in ESPN mag. and an article (basically the same stuff) a couple of weeks ago in the Raleigh paper. If what was said is holding true, Josh may be allowed back into baseball this season.
We've had the opportunity to meet Josh and get to spend time around him in the past. Bottom line, he has the most awesome talent I've ever seen and besides all that has happened in the past few years I believe he has grown up alot and is "becoming his own man". He's married, has started a family, and is, well... growing up.
Always remember, when you're way up at the top of the totem pole, when you crash it will be big time, because you have so much further to fall from the top.
We will always root for Josh to succeed... in baseball and in his personel life!

The Reason Josh wasnt hitting very well is like everyone said he has been on drugs and has been away from the game for a while but back in the day josh was i really dont know how to say it he was amazeing

quote:

Originally posted by Florida Baseball Guy:
See my post in the General Discussion. Beware he wasn't hitting well because he has been suspended from baseball for drug use and hasn't played since the end of the 2003 season.

Wasn't Hitting? Beware? Come on Bob, ease up or a least get it right!

J. Hamilton, was on the fast track!
- in 1999, hit .347-Rookie Ball),
- swung it in the Sally League 2000-2001,
- strugged at AA in 2001,
- hit (.303) in the 2002 Cal League (A Ball),

Yes, Hamilton was selected by Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1st Round (1st Overall) of 1999 amateur draft. (June-Reg Phase). Yet has not played minor league since end of 2002!

There are many 1st rounders that well, never reached their potential. Yet, were good, very good baseball players! What these kids face today....well.....I can understand how and what HoF Mike Schmidt says what he talks about today's juice!

Regards
Bear

Saw on TV (the "crawler thing" on the bottom of the screen) the other day that Josh has been given permission to go to extended spring training. Hope it works out for him!

Very good article on Josh in USA Today.

Josh is in camp and is working out everyday. The Commisioner is about to allow him to start playing in minor league games.

I would reserve your comments about him IF YOU DON"T KNOW HIM !!!! You will not find a teacher or any school personnel from administrators on down who could give you one bad thing about him while he was growing up. He was a model kid and absolutely a wonderful youngman.

The situation that he finds himeself in now is one that he had plenty of help getting into. When your 18 and have 3.6 million dollars in your pocket everyone wants a part of you. He had no way of knowing how to say no. There isn't one baseball personnel in the game who would have predicted what has happened to Josh.

I wish him well! With some help he may find his way to the big leagues. He was and still is that special of a talent! I'd dare say he would have been the 1st pick in the draft every year since the year he was picked in 99 and on top of that he has size 19 feet!

Delmon Y has been working out with Josh everyday. Guess Upton can take Youngs place now.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/devilrays/20...hamilton-cover_x.htm

My son and I saw Josh when he was playing for the Charleston River Dogs. Michael climbed the fence and retrieved Josh's homerun ball - must of been hit over 450 ft. After the game Josh signed it for him and was just as nice and courteous as you could ever want. Another thing I noticed was that Josh stayed and signed autographs until the last kid left and he gave the impression that he truly enjoyed doing it for them.

Josh made a big impression that night as, when we were leaving, my son said he was going to work to make it just like Josh Hamilton did. Since then my son has worked harder than ever before and still has the signed homerun ball on display in his room.

I, for one, am pulling for Josh to make it back.

Hamilton put on a hitting clinic near Tampa last week (assigned to extended spring training)

he is on ESPN Outside the Lines right now.

Josh Hamilton was taken this week in the Rule 5 draft by the Cubs as the third overall pick and was traded to the Reds for an undisclosed amount of cash. This means Hamilton will get another shot, at age 25, to realize his enormous potential. Let's hope he can fight off his personal demons and make this work for him this time. I'm pulling for him.

Like I posted 6 months ago, when my son and I met Josh early on in his minor league career, he seemed like a fine young man. I personally am pulling for him to put his troubles behind him and realize his dream.

Happened to find this recent update on Josh:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200...3/702150370/1082/SPT

and another:

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=200...s&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

There was an update in yesterday's USA Today.

A few things stuck out:

1) In spring training, he and his wife only have 1 car down there so he can't go out without her.

2) When the team gets their meal money (per diem), someone else handles Josh's.

3) There was a pic of him and he is wearing sleeves to cover up his tattoos...very good move.

I hope he makes it. I lived in Raleigh when he was in HS and the only player I have seen that was better than him at that point in his career was Justin Upton.