Josh Hamilton as a Ranger: The highs, lows and memorable moments
The phrase “never say never” has never been more appropriate.
A little more than two years after leaving the Texas Rangers and the fanbase he shared so many ups and downs with behind in free agency, troubled outfielder Josh Hamilton is reportedly headed back to Texas via a stunning trade, which follows his much publicized relapse and falling out with the Los Angeles Angels.
The deal has been agreed to according to multiple reports and could become official in a matter of hours or days. According to Evan P. Grant of the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers will take on less than $7 million of the $93 million remaining on Hamilton’s contract.
If finalized, it’s expected Hamilton will join the Rangers once he completes his rehab from February shoulder surgery. Assuming he does take the field again at Globe Life Park, in many ways his career will have come full circle. Perhaps it wouldn’t represent the smoothest or most well-rounded circle. It has bumps, it has divits, and maybe even some empty spaces. But it’s a circle nonetheless.
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And it’s with that journey in mind that we now look back at the highs and lows, the good times and bad times, the love and support, and ultimately the falling out that make up this most unique relationship between Hamilton, the Rangers and their fans.
Player of the month in April and May of 2008
After being traded over from the Cincinnati Reds following his rookie season, Hamilton’s time with the Rangers couldn’t have started any better. In April, he hit .333 with six home runs and 32 RBIs. He stayed hot in May, hitting .322 with eight home runs and 29 RBIs, which laid the foundation for the first of five All-Star selections, all of which came with Texas, and a true breakout season. By the end, Hamilton was a 304/.371/.530 hitter with 32 home runs and a league-leading 130 RBIs, which pretty much made him the man in Arlington, Texas.
After an injury-riddled 2009 season, Hamilton returned to an elite level of production in 2010 with a 359/.411/.633 battling. His absurd 1.044 OPS far and away led the league, and he was the driving force behind Ron Washington’s first World Series team. .
Hamilton’s season was highlighted by a game in Boston in which he helped Texas rally from an early 8-2 deficit to win by collecting four hits, including a home run, scoring four runs and making three superb catches in the outfield. Later injuries would rob him of the all-around athleticism he displayed that night, but for a time Hamilton could do a bit of everything very well.
The death of Shannon Stone
A moment of kindness turned tragic on July 8, 2011, when Rangers fan Shannon Stone fell to his death at Globe Life Park after Hamilton attempted to toss a souvenir to the 39-year-old father. The accident understandably shook Hamilton on several levels and tested his resilience, but at that point he still had the support of the fans, who helped him heal and helped him move forward.
10th-Inning Home Run in Game 6 of 2011 World Series
Had the Texas Rangers held on to win the 2011 World Series, Hamilton’s profile in Texas may have reached legendary status. As it is, Hamilton’s dramatic go-ahead home run in the 10th inning of Game 6 was one of the franchise’s biggest moments, and was especially impressive considered he was playing through a painful groin injury that to that point had limited his effectiveness.
That one swing nearly changed the course of franchise history, and along with it may have changed Hamilton’s outlook with Rangers fans. If only they’d held on.
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Hamilton booed in final Rangers’ home game
By the end of the 2012 season, Hamilton’s relationship with Rangers fans had gone south despite the fact he’d remained productive. There were many contributing factors, including Hamilton’s impending free agency, and the season culminated with Hamilton being booed relentlessly. The hard feelings reached a crescendo in their final home game, which led to this reaction from Hamilton.
A few weeks later, he signed with the Angels.
The tension boiled over to the following season when Hamilton returned to Texas wearing an Angels uniform. Rangers fans were not happy when Hamilton made it clear he didn’t feel like Dallas-Ft. Worth was a true baseball area, and stated he’d stand by those comments until proven different. The fallout involved Hamilton’s family being heckled, which resulted in security being forced to difuse the situation, and his reception didn’t improve in any of his following trips.
That sendoff and the fallout beg the question now about how Hamilton might be received if and when he returns to Texas, and whether or not it’s the best place for him to resume his career.
From a business and professional standpoint, leaving the Angels should definitely benefit him. They wanted nothing to do with him following his relapse and he simply wasn’t going to fit in there again. There’s also obviously comfort between Hamilton and Rangers officials and players, which means he should get the necessary support from within. But will he be truly accepted by the fans? That’s the question.
If not, how will Hamilton handle that added adversity?
If he is accepted, will it last, and will Hamilton be able to mend fences completely?
There are several interesting angles in play, and we’ll be monitoring all of them as this scenario plays out.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
