When the Los Angeles Angels offered recovering addict Josh Hamilton a $125-million contract last December, they were definitely taking a gamble. The newly signed right fielder and cleanup batter had been on the rocky road of addiction recovery for over seven years with multiple relapses. However, with risk comes great reward, and the Angels were desperate for a star who could carry them all the way to the playoffs.
Hamilton was known to hock his wife’s wedding ring and spend up to $100,000 on a six-week cocaine binge. The player credits a supernatural rebirth to helping him overcome his struggles with addiction.
According to a Los Angeles Times, Hamilton, at his lowest point, was homeless and tried to kill himself by overdosing on pills. He begged his grandmother for a place to stay, but even she threatened to kick him out if he didn’t stop using.
These days the player has built-in mechanisms to help him stay true to sobriety. He never travels without an accountability partner and is subjected to thrice weekly drug testing.
Multiple drug infractions caused him to be banned from the sport from 2003 to 2005. But in 2006 he got a break – the Major Leagues, who noted his strides toward recovery, decided to give him another shot. He was signed to the Texas Rangers and helped them get to the World Series in 2010 and 2011.
For Hamilton, success hinges on holding himself responsible so that he can make better choices. Now, newly signed with the Angels, the baller says he relies on strength from God and his support system to help him do what’s right.
