Anyone else rooting for Josh Hamilton?

Andy · 04-26-2007, 03:02 PM

I remember back when he was drafted that he was going to be a great baseball player, but then drugs took over him. Living about 45 minutes north of Cincy, his comeback has been well documented in the area. At first, all I heard about was the drugs, but now it's about his performance. He leads the Reds with 6 HR and hasn't even played everyday, but he should now. I sure hope he keeps this up and stays clean. Here is a good article... http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...0&sportCat=mlb

The Professor · 04-26-2007, 03:18 PM

Yeah, I've been following the Hamilton story since Spring Training. My nephew played ball against Hamilton in North Carolina. Everyone knew he was something really, really, special. A rare, rare, talent.

This could be a great story. As long as Hamilton can keep his head on straight and stay clean, he's bound for superstardom -- the talent is simply breathtaking. He hits for average, a ton of power, has a strong, accurate, arm -- nailed Skip Schumaker at the plate today -- and is still young enough to fulfill the sort of expectations Tampa Bay had when they drafted him. A franchise-type talent, but even if he never quite gets back to that, he's going to be awfully good...

Go Tribe · 04-26-2007, 03:22 PM

pretty sure his dealer is hoping he starts to struggle....

Go Tribe · 04-26-2007, 03:22 PM

oh and The Professor gets my vote for favorite avatar

Luis_Rivera · 04-26-2007, 03:28 PM

I always root for people in his position. I'm surprised he's doing this well seeing as he hasn't had any real professional experience in a few years. Either way, I hope he keeps it up.

Jason Moyer · 04-26-2007, 04:57 PM

I'm rooting for him to stay clean. I couldn't care less about his baseball career, and wish that less-privileged people would get as many opportunities for success as he's gotten.

Jordan · 04-26-2007, 05:57 PM

Isn't it un-American to not root for someone who is making good on their second chance?

...but seriously, I am rooting for him.

Russ · 04-26-2007, 10:20 PM

100 percent

yankeesrule · 04-26-2007, 10:27 PM

i would be rooting for him....but my dad has him on his fantasy team and all i hear is "bla bla bla what a great pick i made with that josh hamilton bla bla bla" so therefore i am forced to root against him to simply shutup my dad

Lastplaneout · 04-26-2007, 10:50 PM

I'm rooting for Zack Greinke more.

darkhorse · 04-28-2007, 12:11 PM

I can't root for drug abusers like Josh and Barry. However, if Hamilton is a caucusian, I will reverse opinion. People who enjoy caucuses should have every opportunity for forgiveness.

Jason Moyer · 04-29-2007, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordan

Isn't it un-American to not root for someone who is making good on their second chance?

Second chance? I'd assume in 4 years he went through a lot more chances than that.

edrooney · 05-01-2007, 10:48 AM

I root for him as he's a Red and I like the Reds, and he's looking pretty sweet right now.

That said, seems almost unfair to those who make sacrifices to stay within the rules and be good people and not **** up to root more for those that do **** up and make it back.

PotatoPeeler · 05-01-2007, 12:36 PM

I'm not particularly rooting for him but I'm not particularly rooting against him either.

CommishJoe · 05-01-2007, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PotatoPeeler

I'm not particularly rooting for him but I'm not particularly rooting against him either.

That about sums it up for me as well. If it was a car accident or something out of his control that caused his absence from the game, I'd be rooting for him big time.

Astros33Resurrected · 05-01-2007, 01:18 PM

I hope he does well.

reds1 · 05-01-2007, 01:25 PM

This discussion made me think of this exchange from the Reds' website back in March. I thought Mark Sheldon gave a good reply to the question.

Quote:

I read people's postings and articles about Josh Hamilton being some sort of "feel-good story" or role model. Am I the only person who does not feel this way? Hamilton spent years as a drug addict and just dug himself out of his own mess. Even Bailey has to pitch in Double-A, and hopefully Triple-A. Hamilton gets to skip the upper levels of the Minors altogether as a result of his drug problem. He did not overcome adversity and fight his way to the Majors. He finally passed some drug tests and gets shuttled there because of his raw talent. What kind of example does this guy set for children? (I am a 21-year-old single male UC student, not a parent, but still.)-- Ted A., Cincinnati

It's an entirely fair question, Ted, and I'm sure you're not alone with your opinion. However, Hamilton skipped several Minor League levels because he was a Rule 5 pick, not because of his drug problem. Tampa Bay exposed him to the draft and he was selected. That happens all the time in baseball. Johan Santana, Jay Gibbons and Dan Uggla reached the Majors ahead of schedule the same way. Certainly, none of those guys had the off-the-field issues Hamilton had. I don't think anyone believes Santana worked any less because he went from "A" ball to the Twins in 2000.

Hamilton has been clean since October 2005, and seems determined to turn his life around. Yes, his superb baseball talent helped get him his second chance in the game and got him selected in the Rule 5, but I don't think his situation endorses the notion that using drugs gets you ahead. And you definitely can't say he hasn't had adversity. He's had more personal adversity crammed into his past five years than anyone would ever wish for in a lifetime. It's almost a miracle that he's still alive, not just that he has any of the ability left in his bat.

If we cast every single person who fell down in some way or made mistakes to the fringes of society, the fringes would become awfully crowded. If he makes it in the Majors and continues to stay away from drugs or alcohol, I think Hamilton could become a positive example and resource for kids and parents. Who better to warn you of the demons than someone who lived with them?

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

jeheinz72 · 05-01-2007, 01:32 PM

I am 100% rooting for him. I think it's a good story. Sure, his own problems caused him to drop from being the Golden Boy, but it's impressive nonetheless to fight that battle and climb to the top of his profession. Like JM, I hope he focuses more on staying clean than baseball, but both is even better.

I don't tend to knock people for getting second chances. That's what life is about, making the most of them. No one is perfect and while I don't condone drugs I don't see why he should be knocked for earning his way onto this team.

He's going to always have the tagline "Josh Hamilton - former great prospect who delayed/derailed his career due to drugs". My hope is he can add some good footnotes to that tagline along the way.

edrooney · 05-01-2007, 05:40 PM

I'm not knocking him for getting a second chance. Fair play to him for working back from where he was to where he is.

But .. I'm sure a lot of young players have the opportunity and temptation to take drugs. The majority of them show personal fortitude and sacrifice the heady days of youth in order to work hard and achieve their dreams. A minority do not.

Yet it seems that we're expected to root more for the minority who take drugs rather than the majority who 'just say no'. I am rooting for Hamilton, but not more than a youngster that keeps himself clean from the get go.

cinredsfan2000 · 05-02-2007, 09:05 AM

<~~~~~Yeah i am but i might be a little biased and all.

04-26-2007, 03:02 PM	#1
Andy Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 2,270	Anyone else rooting for Josh Hamilton? I remember back when he was drafted that he was going to be a great baseball player, but then drugs took over him. Living about 45 minutes north of Cincy, his comeback has been well documented in the area. At first, all I heard about was the drugs, but now it's about his performance. He leads the Reds with 6 HR and hasn't even played everyday, but he should now. I sure hope he keeps this up and stays clean. Here is a good article... http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...0&sportCat=mlb

04-26-2007, 03:18 PM	#2
The Professor Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East of East Posts: 3,020	Yeah, I've been following the Hamilton story since Spring Training. My nephew played ball against Hamilton in North Carolina. Everyone knew he was something really, really, special. A rare, rare, talent. This could be a great story. As long as Hamilton can keep his head on straight and stay clean, he's bound for superstardom -- the talent is simply breathtaking. He hits for average, a ton of power, has a strong, accurate, arm -- nailed Skip Schumaker at the plate today -- and is still young enough to fulfill the sort of expectations Tampa Bay had when they drafted him. A franchise-type talent, but even if he never quite gets back to that, he's going to be awfully good... __________________ History isn't really about the past - settling old scores. It's about defining the present and who we are."

04-26-2007, 04:57 PM	#6
Jason Moyer Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5,108	I'm rooting for him to stay clean. I couldn't care less about his baseball career, and wish that less-privileged people would get as many opportunities for success as he's gotten. __________________ "I pretty much popped everything cold turkey. We were doing steroids they wouldn't give to horses." -- Tom House "I was very fortunate to have a pitching coach by the name of Tom House...Tom, I really miss those days that we spent in the weight room and out on the field working together." -- Nolan Ryan's HoF Induction Speech

04-26-2007, 10:20 PM	#8
Russ All Star Starter Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Essex HON! Posts: 1,923 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	100 percent __________________ If you don't love Russ, you don't love America. This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

05-01-2007, 10:48 AM	#13
edrooney All Star Reserve Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 688 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	I root for him as he's a Red and I like the Reds, and he's looking pretty sweet right now. That said, seems almost unfair to those who make sacrifices to stay within the rules and be good people and not ** up to root more for those that do ** up and make it back. __________________ I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore.

04-26-2007, 03:22 PM	#3
Go Tribe All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,534 Infractions: 1/0 (0)	pretty sure his dealer is hoping he starts to struggle....

04-26-2007, 03:28 PM	#5
Luis_Rivera Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,177	I always root for people in his position. I'm surprised he's doing this well seeing as he hasn't had any real professional experience in a few years. Either way, I hope he keeps it up.

04-26-2007, 05:57 PM	#7
Jordan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Chi Suburbs now... Posts: 2,023	Isn't it un-American to not root for someone who is making good on their second chance? ...but seriously, I am rooting for him.

04-26-2007, 10:27 PM	#9
yankeesrule All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,367	i would be rooting for him....but my dad has him on his fantasy team and all i hear is "bla bla bla what a great pick i made with that josh hamilton bla bla bla" so therefore i am forced to root against him to simply shutup my dad

04-28-2007, 12:11 PM	#11
darkhorse Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: fort worth, tx Posts: 10,850	I can't root for drug abusers like Josh and Barry. However, if Hamilton is a caucusian, I will reverse opinion. People who enjoy caucuses should have every opportunity for forgiveness.

05-01-2007, 12:36 PM	#14
PotatoPeeler Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 3,639	I'm not particularly rooting for him but I'm not particularly rooting against him either. __________________ 培傑西 I have never taken a lesson on how to talk on TV in my life. - Tim McCarver Guns have only two enemies; rust and liberals. The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel.

05-01-2007, 01:18 PM	#16
Astros33Resurrected Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lufkin, TX Posts: 2,213	I hope he does well.

05-01-2007, 01:32 PM	#18
jeheinz72 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 2,164	I am 100% rooting for him. I think it's a good story. Sure, his own problems caused him to drop from being the Golden Boy, but it's impressive nonetheless to fight that battle and climb to the top of his profession. Like JM, I hope he focuses more on staying clean than baseball, but both is even better. I don't tend to knock people for getting second chances. That's what life is about, making the most of them. No one is perfect and while I don't condone drugs I don't see why he should be knocked for earning his way onto this team. He's going to always have the tagline "Josh Hamilton - former great prospect who delayed/derailed his career due to drugs". My hope is he can add some good footnotes to that tagline along the way. __________________ Join The Dugout!

05-01-2007, 05:40 PM	#19
edrooney All Star Reserve Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 688 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	I'm not knocking him for getting a second chance. Fair play to him for working back from where he was to where he is. But .. I'm sure a lot of young players have the opportunity and temptation to take drugs. The majority of them show personal fortitude and sacrifice the heady days of youth in order to work hard and achieve their dreams. A minority do not. Yet it seems that we're expected to root more for the minority who take drugs rather than the majority who 'just say no'. I am rooting for Hamilton, but not more than a youngster that keeps himself clean from the get go. __________________ I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore.