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|debut=Apr 2 2007
|debut=Apr 2 2007
|final=
|final=
|birth=May 21 1981
|birth=May 21, 1981
|countryoforigin=USA
|countryoforigin=USA
|death=
|death=
'''Joshua Holt Hamilton''' is a [[Major League Baseball]] [[outfielder]] currently playing for the [[Texas Rangers]].<ref>http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hamiljo03.shtml</ref> He is best known for overcoming a drug addiction to reach the Big Leagues with the [[Cincinnati Reds]] in 2007. He often gives credit to [[God]] for his successful turnaround.<ref>http://www.cbn.com/700club/features/amazing/Josh_Hamilton091907.aspx</ref>
'''Joshua Holt Hamilton''' is a [[Major League Baseball]] [[outfielder]] currently playing for the [[Texas Rangers]].<ref>http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hamiljo03.shtml</ref> He is best known for overcoming a drug addiction to reach the Big Leagues with the [[Cincinnati Reds]] in 2007. He often gives credit to [[God]] for his successful turnaround.<ref>http://www.cbn.com/700club/features/amazing/Josh_Hamilton091907.aspx</ref>
==Early Career==
==Early career==
===Draft===
===Draft===
After recording a .529 batting average and 13 home runs in his senior year at Athens Drive High School, Hamilton was selected by the [[Tampa Bay Rays|Tampa Bay Devil Rays]] with the first pick of the 1999 Amateur draft. The Rays chose him over [[Texas]] high school pitcher [[Josh Beckett]] due to Hamilton's strong character. Hamilton attended [[church]] regularly and would kiss his grandmother before his games. The team felt Hamilton was a player they could build their team around and gave him a then record $4 million signing bonus.
After recording a .529 batting average and 13 home runs in his senior year at Athens Drive High School, Hamilton was selected by the [[Tampa Bay Rays|Tampa Bay Devil Rays]] with the first pick of the 1999 Amateur draft. The Rays chose him over [[Texas]] high school pitcher [[Josh Beckett]] due to Hamilton's strong character. Hamilton attended [[church]] regularly and would kiss his grandmother before his games. The team felt Hamilton was a player they could build their team around and gave him a then record $4 million signing bonus.
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External Links==
==External links==
*[http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4652 ESPN Bio]
*[http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4652 ESPN Bio]