Career Timeline of Josh Hamilton: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Josh Hamilton made an impact.

Josh Hamilton is a former MLB outfielder known for his talent and struggles with addiction. He was a five-time All-Star, won the 2010 AL MVP with the Texas Rangers, and secured three Silver Slugger Awards. Hamilton also won a batting title and RBI title. His career spanned from 2007 to 2015, including stints with the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Angels. Despite his success, his career was significantly impacted by relapses into substance abuse.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1999: Signing with Tampa Bay Devil Rays

In 1999, Josh Hamilton signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, receiving a $3.96 million signing bonus, and joined their minor league system.

1999: First Overall MLB Draft Pick

In 1999, Josh Hamilton was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as the first overall pick in the MLB draft.

1999: Top Prospect for MLB Draft

In 1999, Josh Hamilton was widely considered one of the top two prospects for the MLB draft, along with Josh Beckett.

2000: South Atlantic League All-Star and Minor League Player of the Year

In 2000, Josh Hamilton played with the Charleston RiverDogs, was selected to the South Atlantic League All-Star game (where he won MVP honors), named to the All-Star Futures Game, and voted Minor League Player of the Year by USA Today.

June 2, 2006: Allowed to Work Out with Minor League Players

On June 2, 2006, Josh Hamilton was allowed to work out with the Devil Rays' minor league players.

2006: Rule 5 Draft Selection and Trade to Reds

In 2006, Josh Hamilton was selected in the Rule 5 draft by the Chicago Cubs and immediately traded to the Cincinnati Reds.

2006: Hamilton Worked on Shoeless Joe Jackson's House Renovation

In 2006, Richard C. Davis, the owner of Trademark Properties, hired Josh Hamilton as the construction foreman to renovate Shoeless Joe Jackson's house and filmed the process for the TV show "The Real Deal".

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March 31, 2007: "A Home Run for Trademark" Airs on The Real Deal

On March 31, 2007, "A Home Run for Trademark," a reality show episode on The Learning Channel, aired, featuring Josh Hamilton as the construction foreman for the renovation of Shoeless Joe Jackson's house during 2006.

December 21, 2007: Trade to Texas Rangers

On December 21, 2007, Josh Hamilton was traded from the Cincinnati Reds to the Texas Rangers for Edinson Vólquez and Danny Herrera.

2007: MLB Debutants in All-Star Game

In 2007 and 2008, Josh Hamilton along with Kosuke Fukudome, Geovany Soto, and Ryan Braun had made their MLB debut.

2007: Strong Spring Training and Roster Spot

In 2007, Josh Hamilton had a strong spring training with the Reds, leaving camp with a .403 batting average, securing a spot on the Major League 25-man roster.

2007: MLB Debut

In 2007, Josh Hamilton made his Major League Baseball debut as an outfielder.

2007: Starting Center Fielder and Rookie Season

In 2007, Josh Hamilton started most of the season in center field for the Reds, finishing the season with a .292 batting average, 19 home runs, and 47 RBIs in 90 games.

2007: Hamilton Complies with MLB Drug Policy

In 2007, The New York Times reported that Josh Hamilton provided urine samples for drug testing at least three times per week to comply with the provisions of MLB's drug policy.

2007: MLB Debut with the Reds

Prior to the 2007 season, Josh Hamilton was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, where he made his MLB debut in 2007.

June 2, 2008: Sports Illustrated Cover

Josh Hamilton was featured on the cover of the June 2, 2008, issue of "Sports Illustrated", in a story chronicling his comeback.

2008: Trade to the Rangers and Breakout Season

Before the 2008 season, Josh Hamilton was traded to the Texas Rangers, where he had a breakout season.

2008: Silver Slugger Award and MVP Candidate

In 2008, Josh Hamilton had a .304 batting average, 32 home runs, and 130 RBIs, leading the American League. He won a Silver Slugger Award and finished seventh in the AL MVP balloting.

2008: All-Star Game and Home Run Derby

In 2008, Josh Hamilton was selected as a starting outfielder for the AL at the All-Star Game and participated in the Home Run Derby, setting a single-round record with 28 home runs in the first round. He ultimately lost to Justin Morneau in the final round of the competition.

2008: Hamilton Appears in "I Am Second" Testimonial Videos

In late 2008, Josh Hamilton, along with other celebrities, appeared in "I Am Second" testimonial videos, sharing his story of recovery from drug use with the help of his Christian faith.

2009: Season Statistics

In 2009, Josh Hamilton batted .268 with 10 home runs and 54 RBIs.

2009: All-Star Game Selection Despite Injury

In 2009, Josh Hamilton was selected by fan voting to play in the All-Star game, even though he was injured.

November 23, 2010: Hamilton Voted American League MVP

On November 23, 2010, Josh Hamilton was voted the American League Most Valuable Player. He also won the AL Players Choice Award for Outstanding Player and a Silver Slugger Award in 2010.

2010: ALCS Win and MVP Award

In 2010, Josh Hamilton and the Rangers won the ALCS, and Hamilton was awarded the ALCS MVP Award.

2010: Rangers' First World Series Appearance

In 2010, Josh Hamilton and the Texas Rangers were defeated in their first-ever World Series appearance by the San Francisco Giants, four games to one. Hamilton batted .100, hitting one home run and recording one run batted in.

2010: World Series Appearance

In 2010, Josh Hamilton helped the Texas Rangers reach the World Series.

2010: Batting Title and League Leading Stats

In 2010, Josh Hamilton led the league with a .359 batting average, winning his first batting title. He also had high rankings in OBP, slugging percentage, and OPS.

2010: All-Star Selection and Batting Average

In 2010, Josh Hamilton was selected to start in the All-Star Game for the third consecutive year. He entered the All-Star Break with a .346 batting average, tied for first in the AL.

2010: Rangers Celebrate with Ginger Ale

In 2010, Josh Hamilton's Rangers teammates celebrated major events such as winning the American League Division Series and the American League Championship Series with ginger ale instead of champagne, mindful of his past struggles.

February 10, 2011: Hamilton signs $24 million contract with Rangers

On February 10, 2011, Josh Hamilton avoided arbitration by signing a two-year contract worth $24 million with the Texas Rangers.

2011: Second World Series Appearance

In 2011, Josh Hamilton helped the Texas Rangers reach the World Series for the second consecutive year.

2011: Second Consecutive AL Pennant

In 2011, Josh Hamilton was a member of the Texas Rangers team that won its second consecutive American League pennant.

2011: José Bautista Sets All-Star Game Vote Record

In 2011, José Bautista set an All-Star Game record with 7,454,753 votes, a record that was later broken by Josh Hamilton in 2012.

2011: Rangers Lose 2011 World Series to Cardinals

In 2011, the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Texas Rangers in seven games in the World Series, with Hamilton batting .241, hitting one home run, and recording six runs batted in during the Series. The Rangers advanced to the World Series for the second consecutive season after defeating the Detroit Tigers.

2011: Rangers Celebrate with Ginger Ale Again

In 2011, the Texas Rangers continued their tradition of celebrating major victories with ginger ale instead of champagne, as they won their second consecutive pennant and reached the World Series.

2011: Hamilton's 2011 Season Statistics

In the 2011 season, Josh Hamilton batted .298 with 25 home runs, placing third in the American League for sacrifice flies (10), sixth for intentional walks (13), and eighth for slugging percentage (.536).

May 8, 2012: Four Home Runs in a Game

On May 8, 2012, Josh Hamilton became the 16th player in MLB history to hit four home runs in a game. He also set an AL record for total bases in a game with 18 on that same day.

December 13, 2012: Hamilton Agrees to $125 Million Contract with Angels

On December 13, 2012, Josh Hamilton agreed in principle to a five-year contract worth $125 million with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

2012: All-Star Game Fan Votes Record

In 2012, Josh Hamilton received more fan votes than any other player in the history of the All-Star Game.

2012: Signing with the Los Angeles Angels

In 2012, Josh Hamilton signed with the Los Angeles Angels.

2012: Hamilton Sets All-Star Game Vote Record

In 2012, Josh Hamilton was selected to his fifth All-Star Game with a record 11,073,744 fan votes, surpassing José Bautista's previous record.

2012: Hamilton's Signing with the Angels Deemed a Failure

In 2015, Josh Hamilton's contract that was signed in 2012 with the Angels is widely regarded as one of the worst free agent signings in MLB history.

2012: Hamilton's Performance in 2012 and Rangers' Wild Card Loss

In the 2012 season, Josh Hamilton achieved a .285 batting average with 43 home runs and 128 runs batted in, finishing fifth in the American League MVP voting and winning his third Silver Slugger Award. The Rangers, however, lost the American League Wild Card Game to the Baltimore Orioles in 2012.

2012: Hamilton Left The Rangers

On May 28, 2015 Hamilton returned to Texas for the first time in a Rangers uniform since leaving the team after the 2012 season.

2014: Hamilton's 2014 Season Performance and Injuries

During the 2014 season, Josh Hamilton batted .263 with 10 home runs and 44 RBIs in 89 games, while also dealing with a thumb and a shoulder injury.

April 27, 2015: Hamilton Traded Back to the Rangers

On April 27, 2015, Josh Hamilton was traded back to the Texas Rangers from the Los Angeles Angels for cash or a player to be named later. The Angels remained responsible for the majority of his contract signed in 2012.

July 30, 2015: Hamilton Records Four RBI in Rangers' Win

On July 30, 2015, Josh Hamilton recorded four RBI in a 7–6 Rangers' win over the New York Yankees.

2015: Final MLB Season

2015 was Josh Hamilton's final year playing in Major League Baseball.

2015: Josh Donaldson Breaks All-Star Game Vote Record

In 2015, Josh Donaldson broke Josh Hamilton's 2012 All-Star Game fan vote record with 14,090,188 votes.

2015: Trade Back to the Rangers and Final Season

In 2015, the Los Angeles Angels traded Josh Hamilton back to the Texas Rangers, where he played one more season before injuries ended his career.

2015: Hamilton's 2015 Season Statistics

In the 2015 season, Josh Hamilton played 50 games, achieving a .253 batting average with eight home runs and 25 runs batted in.

May 25, 2016: Hamilton Ruled Out for 2016 Season

On May 25, 2016, it was announced that Josh Hamilton would miss the entire 2016 season after undergoing knee surgery for the third time in nine months.

2016: Hamilton Undergoes Knee Surgery

In February 2017 it was revealed that Hamilton was experiencing discomfort in his left knee—the same knee on which he had undergone surgery during the 2016 season.