Sports

Josh Hamilton was again falling victim to what is one of the deadliest things the world has to offer; addiction. In this case, the addiction being drugs and alcohol made the situation even more complicated because of the difficulty and vigorous process it takes to kick such a habit to the curb.

After days, weeks, and even a string of months of progress, Hamilton slipped up and as said previously, he began hiding his renewed drug use from his wife Katie and family. He even pawned his wife’s ring just to get ahold of cocaine.

In the fall of 2006, the former potential face of Major League Baseball had hit rock bottom. 50 pounds lighter, a night and day personality change, and a ghostly presence that brought tears and desperation to his shriveled, weak face. Katie kicked Josh out of the house, and in the following nights Josh Hamilton wound up on street corners, in dark alleys, and appeared in the headlights of vehicles traveling on the highway in the late night/early morning hours. If this were to go on another night, perhaps there would be no more of Josh Hamilton the next day.

The next chapter of Hamilton’s incredible story is the pinnacle, and it’s grandma. Josh’s grandmother, Mary Holt, brought him into her home with open arms, the only pair that remained that way in Hamilton’s life. This was his last shot and she knew it. She, like Katie, wanted Josh better so bad but also greatly cared for the game of baseball and his passion for the game he was meant to play. But the only thing on the mind of the former top pick in all of baseball was achieving one thing – his next high. Man, those words are devastating to type.

Josh’s grandmother Mary gave Josh the final chance he would not find elsewhere and if there was to be a happy ending to Hamilton’s story, it was now or never. Mary was the only one left willing to give Josh a fighting chance. (more…)