J Hamilton is inspirational

[lovethegame]

So far has set his demons aside and is on a record setting pace
Congrats and keep it up

[tyberesk]

im glad he is clean...and finally the player everyone thought he would be when tampa bay drafted him

[hellborn]

It's incredible to read his story and see that he was Mr. Squeaky Clean until he was sidelined by an injury and was on his own without much to do for the first time. I'm glad that he's fought to get his life back and realizes how fortunate he is, and wonder how much he could have accomplished in baseball by now if not for some unlucky turns of fate.
He's playing like a reasonable imitation of Mantle right now...power that turns heads, good speed, good CFer. I'm waiting for the 565 foot HR...
Mantle was incredible despite his demons, I hope that Josh ends up being incredible because he's conquered them.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Hamilton has to be one of the most naturally talented ballplayers in the last 25-30 years. He gets drafted, gets messed by drugs, misses several seasons of development in the minors, then reaches the majors in '07. I'm not sure people may understand how incredible that is. A player's development years from 18-24 as so crucial to a ballplayer's future success. Yet, Hamilton basically missed most of that and today he's one of the best players in the American League. Wow.

[The Splendid Splinter]

Hamilton has to be one of the most naturally talented ballplayers in the last 25-30 years. He gets drafted, gets messed by drugs, misses several seasons of development in the minors, then reaches the majors in '07. I'm not sure people may understand how incredible that is. A player's development years from 18-24 as so crucial to a ballplayer's future success. Yet, Hamilton basically missed most of that and today he's one of the best players in the American League. Wow.

Don't forget when he went to the majors in '07... He went there with practically no experience in minors (I think he only had like 15 games in the minors total or is that 15 games above A???). Either way that makes it even more impressive. That's like drafting someone this year and they get a Sept. call up at the end of the season.

This would make a great movie about his life. Oh wait... we got one kinda like it- The Natural.

[Zito75]

More power to him! I've live with a loved one who's been battling addiction the past few years, so I know first hand how hard it is. I can't imagine all the temptation Josh must see everyday.

[Old Sweater]

Hope he stays clean and has all the sucess in the world but I'm still more impressed by any MLB player that took the clean road and decides to remain there.

[Athletic Domination]

He's playing like a reasonable imitation of Mantle right now...power that turns heads, good speed, good CFer. I'm waiting for the 565 foot HR...Mantle was incredible despite his demons, I hope that Josh ends up being incredible because he's conquered them.

I say this all the time, he is the Mick re-incarnated, literally. If the Mick got hurt and was left on his own in the early 00's with $4M he would have done the exact same thing.

[Utility07]

I dont get how its so inspiration. Maybe I am a glass half empty kind of guy, but this guy pissed away several years of good baseball, because he had to get his next hit.

[dl4060]

I dont get how its so inspiration.

Some people are inspired by stories of those who make mistakes and are able to come back.

Maybe I am a glass half empty kind of guy, but this guy pissed away several years of good baseball, because he had to get his next hit.

Yes, he did piss away several years, but I am happy that he has righted his ship. Would I rather he have never gone off course in the first place? That goes without saying, and I'm sure Josh feels the same way.

Not a particularly attractive character trait, being a glass half empty/jealous of those with more than you type.

[lovethegame]

I dont get how its so inspiration. Maybe I am a glass half empty kind of guy, but this guy pissed away several years of good baseball, because he had to get his next hit.

Because he got himself together , saw his fork in the road and decided to be everything he was capable of rather then being a "victim" and ending up ruined

[hellborn]

Hope he stays clean and has all the sucess in the world but I'm still more impressed by any MLB player that took the clean road and decides to remain there.

Yeah, OS, all the best to Josh, but we should appreciate the guys who have done it right all the way. It's like the story of the prodigal son...the good son is upset because the father is celebrating the return of the son who made terrible mistakes and ignoring the one who lived right. The father tells the good son that they are celebrating because his brother was lost and has found himself, and the good son will be rewarded the a full inheritance he deserves...but, you can still see why the good son was upset.
One reason I love Stan Musial and bring him up a lot here is because he's a guy who always did everything right...didn't marry movie stars and models, get divorced over and over, fight with teammates and fans, blow people off because he was too good for them, etc. Just played great ball and was a fantastic teammate and man. Does he have an equivalent today? Helton, Derrek Lee, Lance Berkman...I don't know, ideas, anybody?

[lovethegame]

Many guys ,Sam McDowell, Doc Gooden, Straw, and the great Mantle ,imo, "pissed away " opportunities by fooling themselves that
they could overcome thier shortcomings
Me, I like a guy that doesn't whine just does his thing and comes through
Yeah I know Mantle is hallowed but he was also a self admitted alcoholic during his prime
Ever wonder how many ribbies or dingers he may have hit when he was not bleary eayed?

[machinehead11]

Yes, Hamilton did waste some years. But not only is he making up for them now, but it is a known fact that he doesn't take anything for granted. He signs autographs before practically every game for quite some time, and he's very gracious toward the fans. You can tell that he's determined not to mess things up this time around. You might not like the path he has taken, but you can't dispute that he's doing everything in his power to make things right, not only for himself, but for the fans as well.

[cardsfanatic]

I'm happy for Josh Hamilton and it's great he got his life back on track. However, I don't find it all that impressive or inspirational. I find guys like David Eckstein more impressive and inspirational, honestly. Guys that took the right paths, did the right things, overcame the fact they weren't as big and stong as other's and never gave into temptation and let their careers be ruined by drugs and alchohol. I understand Eckstein was never "great" and was more or less an average to slightly below average player his entire career. But the guy overcame obstacles that were NOT self imposed, like Hamilton, and he didn't self-destruct. To me, that's more inspirational and impressive. Hamilton is a feel good story of redemption but I'm not inspired by his life story and I'm not impressed by the path he's taken.

I am happy for him, though. I think that's where some of the people in this thread are coming from, too. We're not knocking the guy or rooting against him.