Hamilton Makes History
Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers has had what you could easily call a turn around of a career. Early in Hamilton’s career he was plagued with alcohol and drug addictions. After being drafted first overall in the 1999 draft, Hamilton dropped out of the league for eight years and made a historic return to the MLB in 2007.
On May 8, 2012 Josh Hamilton punched himself a ticket for the record books. He became only the 16th player all time to record four home runs in the same game. The last person to do it was Carlos Delgado on September 25, 2003.
Hamilton ended the night going 5-5 with 4 home runs and a double. He accumulated eight RBI’s and a total of 18 bases. The MLB record for total bases in a game is 19 set by Shawn Green in 2002.
“Understanding that what I’m doing and what God’s allowed me to do coming back from everything I went through and allowing me to play the game at the level I play it, it’s pretty amazing to think about,” Hamilton said.
On the season, Hamilton is putting up pretty impressive numbers with 14 home runs, 36 RBI’s, and a batting average of .406. Hamilton is on pace to win the very first Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967.
“He’s unbelievable. It couldn’t happen to a better guy. It’s amazing to sit there and watch. I couldn’t believe it,” said Derek Holland, pitcher for the Texas Rangers.
