Josh Hamilton should be dead. He did enough drugs to end his life. He defiled his body with tattoos. He was an alcohol and crack cocaine addict, throwing away his athletic gifts.
Now he’s a feel-good story with the Texas Rangers, no longer numbing pain and insecurity with drugs.
It’s a remarkable journey, similar in many ways to St. Louis’ Rick Ankiel. An- kiel’s disease was pitching — he could no longer throw strikes and had to reinvent himself as an outfielder. Substance abuse pushed Hamilton out of baseball for four seasons.
At 26 and sober, he was the American League’s best player in April. Acquired from the Cincinnati Reds for pitching prospect Edison Volquez — this has been a win-win deal for both clubs — Hamilton has made a startling impression. He is hitting .290 with seven home runs and 37 RBIs and plays center field like a faster version of Larry Walker.
“I always thought that Larry was the most talented player I have ever been around,” Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine said. “But I think Josh has a chance to eclipse him. He runs well, throws well, has freakish power and you can’t believe the ground he covers on defense.”
When Levine told Hamilton he won American League player of the month honors, the outfielder couldn’t believe it.
“In the league or on our team?” Hamilton asked.
Hamilton played well for the Reds last season, but there were those in Cincinnati who believed his body would eventually break down because of past drug abuse. Hamilton sprained his right wrist last season after taking 500 swings with a weighted bat during a practice session. He didn’t get a day off this year until Monday.
His transition to Texas has been eased by the presence of coach Johnny Narron, who has a strong relationship with the outfielder. If he is a mini-support system, faith is Hamilton’s rudder. Hamilton and wife Katie, who is expecting, speak to youth groups, rescue missions and churches, telling Josh’s story from hell and back.
For years, Hamilton wanted to die. He now lives with a larger purpose.
“I can’t say enough positive things about him. He’s extremely accountable,” Levine said. “This a very unique individual in many ways.”
On second thought.
Any time a team struggles, critics possess Lasik hindsight, quick to suggest the moves the Rockies should have made. It’s understandable. That passion is what makes them fans. General manager Dan O’Dowd admitted last week that he would have played the free-agent market differently.
Rather than wait and be left without a chair when the music stopped, he stockpiled starting pitching depth in December, signing Kip Wells, Mark Redman and Josh Towers to a guaranteed $4.5 million. It was a proactive stance, figuring the market would eventually explode on mediocre pitchers. As it turns out, the Rockies could have had Livan Hernandez for $5 million. His desire for a $21 million deal vanished when the Mets landed Johan Santana, leaving Hernandez to sign a one-year deal Feb. 12 with the Minnesota Twins.
“I would have liked to get him,” O’Dowd said.
The reason? Hernandez is doing what the Rockies hoped to get from Redman: eat innings and provide a stabilizing force for a group of young pitchers. Redman failed as a starter and could be gone this weekend to make room for prospect Greg Reynolds.
Footnotes.
Keep an eye on Oakland’s Rich Harden. If he can stay healthy, any number of teams — the Yankees, Rockies — will inquire. For a deal for Harden to make sense, a club would be wise to make it for a player to be named later. That player would obviously increase in value based on the number of starts Harden would make for his new team. . . . There’s growing concern about Tigers pitcher Dontrelle Willis. He has struggled on his rehab assignment as he tests out his injured knee. But some former teammates wondered if that wasn’t a blessing in disguise given the mechanical mess he has become. Willis would have benefited under Florida pitching coach Mark Wiley’s tutelage, but was traded during the winter before the two were reunited. . . . Cardinals manager Tony La Russa told me April won’t mean a thing if his team doesn’t string together five more good months. But he loves his club’s approach to the game. “We have guys who will compete,” La Russa said. . . . Is it too early to talk about Chipper Jones hitting .400? . . . Arizona’s Brandon Webb has a chance to win 24 games because he’s a complete pitcher, complementing his devastating sinker with an evil changeup and curve. . . . Juan Pierre has won back the left-field job with the Dodgers. . . . Feel his pain. Some of the worst barbs Troy Tulowitzki heard during his slow start came from fans who had him on their fantasy league teams. “Yeah, they let you know it,” he said. . . . Clubhouse leader for overreaction: Seattle’s Richie Sexson charging the mound Thursday after a pitch didn’t even brush him back.
EYE ON
Rick Ankiel, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
Background: Rick Ankiel is a walking movie script. He was the nation’s top high school player. He rocketed through the minor leagues, making his major-league debut in 1999. He won 11 games in 2000, but there were cracks in the facade. He was immature and forced to deal with heavy issues when his dad was sent to prison. The throes of throws ruined him as a pitcher — it’s often called Steve Blass disease or the yips. He couldn’t throw a strike. In 2005, he retired as a pitcher and began his minor-league career over as an outfielder. He reached the big leagues last season, pulling off a Babe Ruthian feat. Admission of human growth hormone while recovering from surgeries took some luster off his story, but his journey remains remarkable.
What’s up: Ankiel made possibly the greatest throw ever at Coors Field last Tuesday, erasing Omar Quintanilla as he tried to stretch a double into a triple. “I let the big dog eat,” Ankiel told me of his 330-foot dart to third baseman Troy Glaus. Larry Walker, the author of many missiles himself, couldn’t believe it. “He looked like he was 3-foot-6 from where we were on the bench. All I could do was laugh. It was amazing,” Walker said. Added second baseman Aaron Miles: “I have never seen anything like that, and I probably won’t again.”
What’s next: Ankiel has developed into a steady force in the Cardinals’ lineup, hitting anywhere from cleanup to sixth. He has legitimate 30-home run power.
Renck’s take: Manager Tony La Russa put it best: “Everyone kept thinking that Rick was a gimmick. I told them, just go watch him, his athleticism, his arm, his swing.” There’s no gimmick to Ankiel. This is just jaw-dropping talent. With a strong wife at home, An- kiel seems at peace. Leaving pitching liberated him. Most impressive about Ankiel is his desire. The second you think he’s a novelty act, watch his intensity. This guy really competes, fitting in perfectly with a Cardinals team that is littered with grinders.
AT ISSUE
Collusion complaints ring hollow with Bonds
What: The players association has requested that the commissioner’s office investigate the lack of offers for free agent Barry Bonds, stopping short of filing a collusion grievance.
When: As of last week, Jeff Borris, Bonds’ agent, had not received an offer for his seven-time MVP client. Given the myriad teams Bonds could help and the plethora of players with inferior skills employed, the union wants some answers.
Background: Bonds hit .276 with 28 home runs and 66 RBIs last season. Yet besides Tampa Bay and St. Louis discussing the issue internally, no team has said peep about the game’s all-time home run leader. Detroit would make sense — the Tigers recently designated Jacque Jones for assignment — save for the fact Gary Sheffield and Bonds get along about as well as Barbara Walters and Star Jones.
Renck’s take: With Bonds, it isn’t collusion. It’s common sense. The guy brings more baggage into a clubhouse than Samsonite. Though he improved in recent seasons, particularly in his dealings with Todd Greene and Steve Finley, Bonds has never been a great teammate. He’s high maintenance. That works when you’re a superstar. Bonds is no longer that. He’s a good offensive player who becomes a liability the moment he leaves the batter’s box. Besides, he was indicted in November on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice in the BALCO case. The trial isn’t expected to start until 2009, but it’s hard to find an organization that would welcome that kind of lingering black cloud.
Last season, his pursuit of Hank Aaron’s home run record brought in revenue. This season, Bonds would just bring a headache.
THREE UP
1. Twins: No Santana, no Liriano, no offense? No problem.
2. Red Sox: David Ortiz’s slow start seems long ago.
3. Rangers: Nice two-week push saving Ron Washington’s job.
THREE DOWN
1. Mariners: Richie Sexson is a better fighter than a hitter.
2. Padres: Locals have labeled them hitless wonders.
3. Brewers: Eric Gagne has blown more saves than “Baywatch” cast.
