Hamilton speaks on life experiences at Tyler church
Brad Thompson
Section: Sports
In 2007, Hamilton was then traded to the Texas Rangers and was having a great season. He was batting .330 with 6 homeruns and 32 RBI's after just one month, which happened to be his major league best. During the 2008 All-Star break Hamilton surprised fans at Yankee Stadium with a remarkable 28 home runs in the opening round of the Home Run Derby.
"I was a nervous wreck for him that whole day. I was praying, God, just let him get one home run," said Katie.
Hamilton finished with 35 home runs, which was the second most all-time in derby history.
"I had to give that whole performance to God, I couldn't have done it without him and I was glad to be able to share Christ with everybody at Yankee Stadium," said Hamilton.
As things started to look good for Hamilton in early 2009, he confirmed he suffered a relapse. Photos of him drinking in a bar with several women were posted on the Internet.
"For three weeks I had stopped praying and spending time with God that I ended up thinking I could have a drink and everything would be fine, but it didn't work out that way," said Hamilton.
Hamilton ended up telling Katie and the whole Ranger organization what happened.
"I was very shocked that this had happened. I ended up going to our pastor and telling him everything Josh had done and asked him what to do, and he said to forgive him," said Katie. "I called Josh at his grandmother's house and said, 'You don't have to be sorry, you don't have to apologize, you don't even have to change your behavior, because you're getting forgiveness from me.'"
Ever since then their marriage has been much stronger and Josh has stayed away from drugs and alcohol.
Since this time Hamilton has opened up an organization called Triple Play Ministry where they focus on sports ministry, different baseball camps and youth missions. Hamilton dedicates most of his time to this ministry during the off season.
In 2008 they partnered with a group in Africa where they helped save sick children.
"We are very proud about our youth missions, we are going to do some stuff in Haiti next week," said Katie.
Now, Hamilton continues to impress fans as he shows off his talent with the Rangers.
"I thank God for where he has brought me in life. Without him I probably wouldn't be here today," said Hamilton.
Coming into the 2010 season Hamilton feels confident about their team.
"We have crazy talent this year. And I know that no matter what, we will be better than we were last year," said Hamilton.
"I was a nervous wreck for him that whole day. I was praying, God, just let him get one home run," said Katie.
Hamilton finished with 35 home runs, which was the second most all-time in derby history.
"I had to give that whole performance to God, I couldn't have done it without him and I was glad to be able to share Christ with everybody at Yankee Stadium," said Hamilton.
As things started to look good for Hamilton in early 2009, he confirmed he suffered a relapse. Photos of him drinking in a bar with several women were posted on the Internet.
"For three weeks I had stopped praying and spending time with God that I ended up thinking I could have a drink and everything would be fine, but it didn't work out that way," said Hamilton.
Hamilton ended up telling Katie and the whole Ranger organization what happened.
"I was very shocked that this had happened. I ended up going to our pastor and telling him everything Josh had done and asked him what to do, and he said to forgive him," said Katie. "I called Josh at his grandmother's house and said, 'You don't have to be sorry, you don't have to apologize, you don't even have to change your behavior, because you're getting forgiveness from me.'"
Ever since then their marriage has been much stronger and Josh has stayed away from drugs and alcohol.
Since this time Hamilton has opened up an organization called Triple Play Ministry where they focus on sports ministry, different baseball camps and youth missions. Hamilton dedicates most of his time to this ministry during the off season.
In 2008 they partnered with a group in Africa where they helped save sick children.
"We are very proud about our youth missions, we are going to do some stuff in Haiti next week," said Katie.
Now, Hamilton continues to impress fans as he shows off his talent with the Rangers.
"I thank God for where he has brought me in life. Without him I probably wouldn't be here today," said Hamilton.
Coming into the 2010 season Hamilton feels confident about their team.
"We have crazy talent this year. And I know that no matter what, we will be better than we were last year," said Hamilton.
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