He’s got game — from drugs to Jesus, Reds outfielder finds new life

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton had the world ahead of him. Picked no. 1 in the 1999 draft by Tampa Bay, what more could a high school senior want? The Devil Rays believed he was such a complete package that they dubbed him the “future of the franchise.” He could pitch – clocked at 96 miles an hour – but baseball salivated over his offensive skills even more.

He was given a $3.9 million signing bonus that fueled a dangerous lifestyle that would send his childhood hopes and dreams spiraling away.

Who knows what happened. It could have been bad friends or just poor choices — but he began to use drugs – and then abuse them – and before long he was addicted to crack cocaine. He not only lost his swing – he lost his job. He was kicked out of baseball.

He know says that he was “a man with no soul.”

For three years he didn’t pick up a bat, a ball or a glove. For many kids, that’s the end of the story. It just turns into the final chapter of a story we hear all too often – broken relationships, legal trouble and sickness eventually followed by a tragic death. But this story is entirely different. In 2005 God got ahold of this broken young man and brought Josh back on the team.

He found his Savior, thanks to the tough love of his grandmother and the strong witness of Raleigh homebuilder Michael Dean Chadwick, who himself battled drug addiction. Chadwick told Josh, “either die or get well.” And getting well centered around Jesus.

Josh eventually began to play ball and found his skills again. The Reds took a chance and signed him and before long, he was in the Reds outfield. In April, he took Rookie of the month awards.

Today, he is honest about his past. And he is bold about his Savior. This Red Letter Believer is a Christian who is living out faith.

Josh, may your home runs be many and your walk pure.

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