Josh Hamilton Highlights 4 Non-Roster Invites to Watch at Spring Training
By Wayne Cavadi
Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers, OF
It’s hard to believe Hamilton is still around MLB. Like Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez before him, Josh Hamilton has found himself surround by major league drama since his 2008 breakout campaign.
Hamilton was one of the feel-good stories of MLB, battling addiction to become one of the elite players in the league. He peaked during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, winning an American League Most Valuable Player award and taking the Texas Rangers to back-to-back World Series. His success translated into one of the biggest deals in MLB history with the Los Angeles Angels.
He played one full season with the Angels before the wheels came off. First came the injuries. Then came the infamous 2014 American League Division Series in which he went 0-for-13. Then came the relapse. The past three seasons have seen Hamilton play a total of 139 games, missing the entire 2016 season.
The Angels traded Hamilton back to the Rangers, who would eventually release him in August of last year.
Now 35, this is likely Hamilton’s last chance. Should he prove to be truly as healthy as he claims he is, there is certainly room on the roster for him. If Hamilton can get back to 75 percent of his former self, the Rangers have a fourth outfielder of which other teams would be envious.