Josh Hamilton

Katie has a daughter, Julia Shea (3/14/01), from a previous relationship, and together she and Hamilton have three daughters, Sierra Elise (8/22/05), Michaela Grace (8/14/08), and Stella Faith (9/9/11). Josh and Katie have had a foundation, Triple Play Ministries since 2008; they have built an orphanage in Uganda and given funds for relief in Haiti. Hamilton exemplifies Muscular Christianity through the public expression of his Christian faith.

Hamilton's struggles with drugs and alcohol are well documented. He finally got clean after being confronted by his grandmother, Mary Holt. In May 2008 Hamilton said he had not used drugs or alcohol since October 6, 2005. When giving a brief summary of his recovery, Hamilton says simply: "It's a God thing." He does not shy away from telling his story, speaking to community groups and fans at many functions. He frequently publicly tells stories of how he believes that Jesus brought him back from the brink and that faith is what keeps him going. Hamilton also wrote an autobiography called Beyond Belief which explains how he quit drugs and alcohol and found a relationship with God. His wife Katie sometimes accompanies him, offering her perspective on his struggles as well. To comply with the provisions of MLB's drug policy, Hamilton provides urine samples for drug testing at least three times per week. Rangers' coach Johnny Narron says of the frequent testing: "I think he looks forward to the tests. Read Less

At the start of the season, Hamilton showed up late several times during spring training and was reassigned to the team's minor league camp. He left the team and resurfaced several times, but eventually took the rest of the season off for personal reasons. Hamilton was hoping to return to spring training with the Devil Rays in, but he was suspended 30 days and fined for violating the drug policy put in place by MLB. Because of the length of his suspension, and the terms of the drug policy, Hamilton could have failed two or more drug tests after being put into the program. A "failed" test is one in which there is a positive result for a drug more severe than marijuana. The suspension was increased several times, after repeated violations of the terms of the program. Read Less

He made several attempts at rehabilitation, and started off the season with hopes of being a star major league outfielder. During the days of his most prolific abuse, Hamilton met a businessman named Michael Chadwick who made an attempt to steer him in the right direction. It was through this relationship that Josh ended up meeting his future wife, Katie, who was Chadwick’s daughter. His return to baseball was helped along by former minor league outfielder and manager Roy Silver, who owns a baseball academy in Florida. After hearing about Hamilton's desire to return to baseball, Silver offered the use of his facility if Hamilton agreed to work there. Read Less