Guide Note

Josh Hamilton is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Texas Rangers. Hamilton battled a serious drug addiction for several years before making his Major League debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007.

Fast Facts

1. Born: May 21, 1981
2. Birthplace: Raleigh, North Carolina
3. Height: 6'4"
4. Weight: 205 lbs
5. Bats: Left
6. Throws: Left
7. Position: Outfield
8. 2002: Suspended for substance abuse
9. 2007: Debuted with Cincinnati Reds
10. December 21, 2007: Traded to the Texas Rangers
11. Hit a record 28 first-round home runs at the 2008 Home Run Derby

Hamilton was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 1999 and began playing in the minor leagues. He was suspended in 2002 for violating MLB's substance abuse policy. He entered rehab for drug abuse, but would not complete the program and would fail more drug tests and received more suspensions. Hamilton said that he had been in rehab eight times since 2003 and had attempted suicide at least three times.

Hamilton was finally allowed to return to the field in 2006, where he worked his way up through the minor leagues again. Hamilton signed with the Reds in 2007 and made his long delayed Major League debut on April 2, 2007. He would make his first start on April 10 and get his first career hit and home run. He would hit another home run the following night. Hamilton had a productive year, putting him in the running for the 2007 Baseball America Rookie of the Year Award.