"Josh Hamilton was a star baseball player in Major League Baseball from 2007 to 2015. He was best known for playing outfield for the Texas Rangers, helping them win the American League pennants in 2010 and 2011. Some of his most notable accomplishments include being a five-time All-Star, winning three Silver Slugger Awards, and being named the American League's Most Valuable Player in 2010. He also won an AL batting championship and an AL RBI title. In addition to the Rangers, he played for the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Angels."
May 21, 1981: Birth
Josh Hamilton was born on May 21, 1981.
1999: Signing with Tampa Bay
After being drafted, Hamilton signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and began his journey in their minor league system in 1999.
1999: High School Standout and Draft Prospect
In 1999, Josh Hamilton was considered a top prospect for the MLB draft due to his performance as a pitcher and outfielder at Athens Drive High School.
1999: Drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Josh Hamilton was drafted first overall in the 1999 MLB draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
2000: Minor League Success and Accolades
Hamilton excelled in the minor leagues in 2000, earning accolades such as the South Atlantic League All-Star Game MVP and Minor League Player of the Year.
February 2001: Car Accident and Introduction to Drugs and Alcohol
In February 2001, Hamilton and his mother were in a car accident. This event marked a turning point, leading to his first experiences with alcohol and drug use.
2001: Car Accident and Beginning of Substance Abuse
Before the 2001 season, Hamilton was involved in a car accident along with his parents. This event marked the beginning of his struggles with drug and alcohol abuse.
2001: Car Accident and Addiction
In 2001, Hamilton was involved in a car accident that led to injuries and the start of his struggles with drug addiction.
2002: Season Cut Short Due to Injuries
Hamilton's 2002 season was cut short by lingering injuries, despite a strong start with the Bakersfield Blaze.
2002: Hamilton Begins Dating Future Wife
Josh Hamilton started dating Katie Chadwick in 2002 when he returned to Raleigh.
2003: First Failed Drug Test and Suspension
During spring training in 2003, Hamilton failed his first drug test. This resulted in his reassignment to minor league camp and eventually led to him taking the rest of the season off.
2003: First Failed Drug Test
During spring training of the 2003 season, Hamilton failed his first drug test.
2004: Suspension for Failed Drug Tests
Hamilton faced further setbacks in 2004 when he was suspended for the entire season due to multiple failed drug tests.
2004: Suspension for Violating Drug Policy
In 2004, Hamilton was suspended for the entire Major League Baseball season after failing two more drug tests. This followed an earlier 30-day suspension and fine for a failed test.
2004: Hamilton Marries Katie Chadwick
Josh Hamilton married Katie Chadwick in 2004.
October 6, 2005: Hamilton Achieves Sobriety
In May 2008, Josh Hamilton shared that he had not used drugs or alcohol since October 6, 2005.
2005: Arrest and Suspension
Hamilton's struggles continued in 2005 when he was arrested for smashing a truck windshield, leading to his placement on the restricted list by the Rays. A subsequent relapse resulted in his suspension for the entire 2006 season.
2005: Arrest and Suspension
Hamilton's substance abuse problems persisted, leading to an arrest for damaging a friend's truck. Consequently, the Tampa Bay Rays placed him on the restricted list, and he was later suspended by MLB for the entire 2006 season due to another relapse.
January 2006: Working at Roy Silver's Academy
In January 2006, Josh Hamilton began working at Roy Silver's baseball academy in Florida, performing tasks like cleaning and field maintenance. He stayed at the academy overnight.
June 2, 2006: Return to Minor League Games
On June 2, 2006, Hamilton was allowed to work out with the Devil Rays' minor league players, and by the end of the month, he was able to participate in minor league games again.
2006: Working on Shoeless Joe Jackson's House
In 2006, while working as a construction foreman for Richard C. Davis, Josh Hamilton was part of the team that renovated Shoeless Joe Jackson's house. Davis was considering purchasing a minor league baseball team at the time and thought about giving Hamilton a chance to play.
2006: Rule 5 Draft and Trade to the Reds
The Chicago Cubs selected Hamilton in the 2006 Rule 5 draft, but he was immediately traded to the Cincinnati Reds.
2006: Suspension for Drug Relapse
Hamilton was suspended for the entirety of the 2006 MLB season following another drug relapse.
March 31, 2007: "A Home Run for Trademark"
The episode "A Home Run for Trademark," which aired on March 31, 2007, featured Hamilton's involvement in the renovation of Shoeless Joe Jackson's house in 2006.
December 21, 2007: Trade to the Texas Rangers
On December 21, 2007, the Cincinnati Reds traded Hamilton to the Texas Rangers.
2007: Starting Center Field for the Reds
Hamilton became the starting center fielder for the Reds in 2007 due to Ryan Freel's injury, but he missed out on the Rookie of the Year award.
2007: Impressive Spring Training with the Reds
Hamilton impressed during spring training with the Reds in 2007, hitting .403 and earning a spot on the Major League roster.
2007: MLB Debut
Hamilton made his MLB debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007.
2007: Frequent Drug Testing
In 2007, The New York Times reported that Hamilton was subject to frequent drug testing, providing urine samples at least three times per week as part of MLB's drug policy.
2007: Major League Debut
Josh Hamilton made his Major League Baseball debut in 2007 with the Cincinnati Reds.
May 2008: Hamilton Discusses Sobriety
Josh Hamilton publicly stated that he had not used drugs or alcohol since October 6, 2005.
June 2, 2008: Sports Illustrated Cover Story
On June 2, 2008, Sports Illustrated featured Josh Hamilton on the cover, highlighting his comeback story in baseball.
2008: Impressive Season Performance
During the 2008 season, Josh Hamilton achieved a .304 batting average, 32 home runs, and led the American League with 130 RBIs. He was also awarded a Sliver Slugger Award and came in seventh in the AL MVP voting.
2008: Breakout Season with the Rangers
Traded to the Texas Rangers in 2008, Hamilton had a breakout season.
2008: "I Am Second" Testimonial Videos
In late 2008, Hamilton appeared in a series of testimonial videos called "I Am Second," where he talked about his recovery from drug addiction and how his Christian faith helped him.
2008: All-Star Game Selection and Home Run Derby Performance
In 2008, Josh Hamilton was selected as a starting outfielder for the AL All-Star team, receiving the most votes among outfielders. He also participated in the Home Run Derby, setting a new single-round record with 28 home runs.
June 2009: Abdominal Strain and Surgery
In June 2009, Josh Hamilton was placed on the disabled list due to an abdominal strain resulting from a collision with the outfield wall in May. He underwent surgery to repair the tear and was expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks.
August 2009: Photos of Hamilton at a Bar Surface
In August 2009, photos of Josh Hamilton at a bar in Tempe, Arizona were published by Deadspin. The photos showed Hamilton shirtless with several women. Witnesses claimed to have seen him drinking, asking about cocaine, and talking about going to a strip club.
August 2009: Public Apology for Intoxication Incident
In August 2009, Josh Hamilton publicly addressed an incident from January in which he had become intoxicated at a bar in Arizona and was photographed inappropriately. He expressed remorse for his behavior.
August 2009: Hamilton Addresses the Photos
Josh Hamilton held a press conference in August 2009 to discuss the photos of him at a bar that had surfaced. He stated that he had already informed his wife, the Texas Rangers, and the MLB about the incident the day after it occurred.
2009: Season Performance Summary
Josh Hamilton finished the 2009 season with a .268 batting average, 10 home runs, and 54 RBIs.
2009: All-Star Game Selection
Despite being injured, Josh Hamilton was voted by fans to play in the 2009 All-Star game.
2009: Injury-Riddled Season
Josh Hamilton faced a season filled with injuries in 2009.
November 23, 2010: American League MVP Award
Josh Hamilton was named the American League's Most Valuable Player on November 23, 2010.
2010: First Batting Title and Notable Statistics
Josh Hamilton had a standout year in 2010, leading the league with a .359 batting average and securing his first batting title. He also finished in the top ten for home runs and led the league in slugging percentage and OPS.
2010: World Series Appearance
The Texas Rangers, including Josh Hamilton, made their first World Series appearance in 2010 but lost to the San Francisco Giants.
2010: Rangers Celebrate with Ginger Ale
The Texas Rangers, aware of Josh Hamilton's past struggles with addiction, opted to celebrate their victories in the 2010 American League Division Series and the 2010 American League Championship Series with ginger ale instead of champagne.
2010: ALCS Victory and MVP Award
Josh Hamilton and the Texas Rangers won the 2010 ALCS, defeating the New York Yankees. Hamilton was named the ALCS MVP, contributing four home runs and seven RBIs during the series.
2010: All-Star Game Selection and Mid-Season Performance
In 2010, Josh Hamilton was selected to start in the All-Star game, marking his third consecutive selection. He entered the All-Star Break with a .346 batting average, tying for first in the AL with Miguel Cabrera.
2010: AL MVP and Pennant Winner
In 2010, Hamilton was named the American League Most Valuable Player and won the American League pennant with the Texas Rangers.
2010: First World Series Appearance
In 2010, Hamilton and the Rangers reached the World Series.
February 10, 2011: Contract Extension with Rangers
Josh Hamilton signed a two-year, $24 million contract extension with the Texas Rangers on February 10, 2011, avoiding arbitration.
2011: Second World Series Appearance
In 2011, Hamilton and the Texas Rangers made their second consecutive World Series appearance.
2011: Consecutive Pennant Win
In 2011, the Texas Rangers, with Josh Hamilton, won the American League pennant again.
2011: World Series Appearance
Josh Hamilton and the Texas Rangers returned to the World Series in 2011 for the second consecutive year but were defeated by the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.
2011: Season Performance Summary
Josh Hamilton concluded the 2011 season with a .298 batting average and 25 home runs.
2011: Rangers Continue Ginger Ale Celebrations
The Rangers continued their tradition of celebrating with ginger ale in 2011 after winning their second consecutive pennant and reaching the World Series. This decision was a gesture of support for Hamilton's sobriety.
February 2, 2012: Alcohol Relapse
Reports surfaced on February 2, 2012, indicating that Josh Hamilton had experienced a relapse with alcohol.
February 3, 2012: Public Apology
Josh Hamilton addressed the media and the public on February 3, 2012, issuing an apology for his recent relapse with alcohol.
May 8, 2012: Record-Breaking Game
On May 8, 2012, Josh Hamilton hit four home runs in a single game, becoming the 16th player in MLB history to do so, and set an American League record for total bases in a game with 18.
December 13, 2012: Agrees to contract with the Los Angeles Angels
On December 13, 2012, Josh Hamilton came to an agreement with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on a five-year contract worth $125 million. However, his time with the Angels would prove to be unsuccessful.
2012: Season Performance, Awards, and Playoff Loss
Josh Hamilton had a .285 batting average with 43 home runs and 128 RBIs in the 2012 season. He finished fifth in AL MVP voting, earned his third Silver Slugger Award, and the Rangers lost the AL Wild Card Game to the Baltimore Orioles.
2012: Signing with the Angels and Struggles
Josh Hamilton signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2012, but his time with the team was marked by injuries and a drug relapse.
2012: All-Star Game Selection - Record-Breaking Votes
Josh Hamilton was selected for his fifth All-Star Game appearance in 2012, receiving the highest number of fan votes in the history of the All-Star Game selection process.
2012: Contract with the Angels Considered One of the Worst
The 2012 contract that Josh Hamilton signed with the Los Angeles Angels is widely considered one of the worst free agent signings in Major League Baseball history.
2012: Hamilton Returns to Texas
After being traded from the Angels, Hamilton returned to play in Texas with the Rangers for the first time since 2012. He received a standing ovation from the crowd.
2014: Hamilton's Performance Declines
During the 2014 season, Hamilton struggled with injuries, including a thumb injury and a shoulder injury. He finished the season with a .263 batting average, 10 home runs, and 44 RBIs in 89 games.
February 2015: Hamilton Relapses
In February 2015, Josh Hamilton relapsed, using both cocaine and alcohol. He voluntarily reported this relapse to the MLB. An arbitrator ruled that his voluntary admission meant he had not violated the league's drug policy and could not be suspended.
February 2015: Hamilton's Relapse and Controversy
In February 2015, Hamilton's struggles continued as he underwent shoulder surgery and revealed a relapse into drug addiction. While an arbitrator ruled that he wouldn't be suspended due to voluntarily reporting the relapse, Angels owner Arte Moreno publicly expressed his unwillingness to have Hamilton back on the team.
April 27, 2015: Traded Back to the Rangers
On April 27, 2015, the Los Angeles Angels traded Josh Hamilton back to the Texas Rangers. The Angels remained responsible for a significant portion of his remaining contract.
July 30, 2015: Strong Performance Against the Yankees
On July 30, 2015, Hamilton had a standout game for the Rangers, recording four RBIs in a 7-6 win over the New York Yankees.
2015: Hamilton's Season Statistics
In the 2015 season, Josh Hamilton played in 50 games, batting .253 with eight home runs and 25 runs batted in.
2015: End of MLB Career
Josh Hamilton played in the MLB until 2015.
2015: Return to the Rangers
In 2015, the Angels traded Hamilton back to the Texas Rangers.
2015: Hamilton's Divorce
In 2015, Josh Hamilton and his wife, Katie, filed for divorce after 11 years of marriage. The divorce followed a substance abuse relapse by Hamilton.
May 25, 2016: Knee Surgery and Release from the Rangers
On May 25, 2016, it was announced that Hamilton would miss the rest of the season due to knee surgery. The Rangers released him in August.
2016: Knee Problems and Release
Hamilton's knee problems from 2016 continued into the following year, and he underwent another surgery on his left knee. Unfortunately, he sustained a right knee injury while rehabbing from the surgery on his left knee, leading to his release from the Rangers.
January 16, 2017: Minor League Deal with the Rangers
The Texas Rangers signed Hamilton to a minor league deal on January 16, 2017. The team planned to try him out at first base.
October 30, 2019: Hamilton Arrested
On October 30, 2019, Josh Hamilton was arrested and charged with injury to a child, a third-degree felony, following accusations of physically assaulting his eldest daughter.
2019: Assault Charge
Josh Hamilton faced a felony charge for allegedly assaulting his daughter in 2019.
2019: Induction into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame
Josh Hamilton was inducted into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame in 2019.
2019: Texas Rangers Hall of Fame Induction
Josh Hamilton was inducted into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame in 2019.
April 8, 2020: Hamilton Indicted
Josh Hamilton was indicted on April 8, 2020, on a felony charge for allegedly beating his daughter. The charge carried a potential prison sentence of up to ten years.
February 22, 2022: Guilty Plea
On February 22, 2022, Hamilton pleaded guilty to unlawful restraint.