Hamilton on his success: 'It's a God thing'

In all the parks Josh Hamilton has played in during his career, the 27-year-old Texas Rangers' All-Star still has a soft spot for Greenville's Guy Smith Stadium.

Hamilton was in town for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' fall banquet, speaking in front of a captivated audience of more than 700 at the Rock Springs Center Thursday night. But one of the first things he noticed about the city upon his return was the historic ballpark.

“I remember coming down here in high school for a couple of Easter tournaments. I believe we played J.H. Rose,” Hamilton said. “I used to love as a kid going into stadiums like that because of the history they had behind them. That was the biggest thing I'd ever played in at that time.

“So, it's one of those things where I look back on it now and happy to hear that it's still here because kids coming up again can have those same dreams and aspirations to play in that stadium. I was excited to ride by it and see it.”

Pretty lofty praise for the nearly 70-year-old stadium coming from a man who had one of the most memorable moments in Yankee Stadium history in July when he slugged 28 home runs in the opening round of the 2008 Home Run Derby during All-Star Game weekend.

But the real reason for Hamilton's visit was simple — getting the word out about God. And He was part of that celebration that night, Hamilton said.

“I prayed before I went to bed a month and a half before the All-Star Game,” he said. “And I said ‘Lord, you know my heart. I'm not saying this for my glory or my success. But the more successful I am the more people who will listen to me talk about you.'”

The ups and downs of Hamilton's career — starting with his selection by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1999 MLB Draft to his drug addictions and eventual suspension from the sport he loved, all the way back to his amazing comeback with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007 and finally his breakthrough season with Texas this past year — allows the Raleigh native a special chance, he said.

“It's a God thing,” Hamilton says simply. “People ask me all the time to explain how I was able to do all of this. And that's really all it is.”

Hamilton hit .304 for the Rangers in his first full season in the big leagues in 2008, belting 32 home runs and driving in 130 runs.

Before the event started, a line of fans seeking Hamilton's autograph snaked around the buffet and dining tables scattered throughout the ballroom. Smiles on faces — both young and old — were everywhere as he scribbled his name over and over on bats, balls, books and anything else that people handed him.

“The message we were so excited about is he found himself at the very bottom of what life has to offer,” Eastern North Carolina FCA Director David Wall said. “He came to know Christ as his savior. It's been amazing, not just that he did so well in baseball, but in turning his whole life around. It gives him such a tremendous platform to share with our students and our community and the entire country.”

The event raised money for the FCA. Besides ticket costs of $100 each or $1,000 per table, there was a silent auction for Hamilton autographed items, donations taken at each table and a live auction run by Bill Clark. One inspired moment saw Hamilton jump up on stage to put on a jersey — thus making it a “Josh Hamilton worn” item, even though it clearly was too small for the 6-foot-4, 235-pounder. Eventually, it sold for $800.

A question and answer session with the audience was filled with humor and insight. Hamilton revealed his secret to hitting, “see the ball, hit the ball.” He unveiled his favorite all-time players — Cal Ripken Jr., Tony Gwynn and Paul O'Neill. And he told a little known secret about what Boston's David Ortiz said to him during the Home Run Derby — “He told me he really needed to go to the bathroom.”

But no matter what, Hamilton made sure to let the audience know what the real message was.

“I had people that I had no idea who they were,” Hamilton said. “They'd come up to me crying and telling me they were praying for me during all my years of struggle.

“That really shows you the power of prayer.”

Contact Randy Jones at rajones@coxnc.com or at (252) 329-9593.