Josh Hamilton

Alright, I know I haven't written here in a while and doubt anyone will read this anyway but I feel I have to talk about Josh Hamilton. I'm prefacing the talk by admitting that I am a huge Hamilton fan. I didn't just jump on his bandwagon either, I rooted for the crackhead through all his trials and tribulations. As a ravinous Phillies fan, I'm pretty much not allowed to root for another major league team because, let's face it, I hate them all. The only franchise I can find myself rooting for is that aaaa team the Devil Rays. They are pretty much the only team whose history is more pathetic than the Phils' one championship in 120 years. I never really followed him when he played, but ever since he inexplicably turned away from baseball I've found myself cheering for him. In fact, my fantasy baseball last year, before he even started his comeback, was named Josh Hamilton. Given these facts, I am elated and very surprised at his strong start. This is the same guy that struggled in the low minors last year. The guy goes from batting .260 in low a ball to a .333 with 5 homers in just 30 at bats. The guy has been performing like a superstar after a four year break and just 50 at-bats last year. That is rediculous and is a testament to the pure talent the guy has. I wasn't the type of person that thought talent could soley make someone a good baseball player, in fact I've had many drunken conversations citing David Eckstein as the proof, but he might have changed my mind. Sure talent matters, but I know that baseball should take a whole lot of hard work and preparation. If this is how Hamilton plays without all that and after a four year layoff, I am afraid of how good he might be if he continues on a good path. Why didn't the Phillies trade up for the first pick in the rule-5 draft??