Hamilton: 'I think I've got a lot left in the tank'
As Josh Hamilton fielded questions from reporters Thursday inside the Texas Rangers' spring training complex, the grey flecks in his beards more noticeable than ever, the five-time All-Star - 36 in May - admitted he considered retiring last year after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his left knee, making it 10 knee surgeries for his volatile career.
After drug addiction nearly ended his career before it began, Hamilton's journey through professional baseball, and life, has been defined by comebacks, but the former American League MVP, ravaged by injuries in recent years, couldn't help but wonder, this time around, if he was finally done.
He isn't.
"It just hit my heart and head that I think I’ve got a lot left in the tank, not just a little. So I wanted to give a try,” Hamilton said, according to Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
So, that's what he's doing, having signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers that includes an invite to big-league camp and will give him a shot to crack the Opening Day roster. Despite playing all of one game in 2016 (for the Rangers' Double-A affiliate, no less) and being almost 18 months removed from his last MLB at-bat, Hamilton said he's confident he'll deliver if his body co-operates.
"If I'm healthy, I know I'll get out there and perform," Hamilton said.
Still, even if Hamilton's body holds up for the next six weeks, it's unclear how the former first overall pick fits into the Rangers' plans following the club's addition of Mike Napoli. The outfield is full - it's also unclear if Hamilton can even play the outfield anymore - and given Texas is already beset with finding at-bats for both Joey Gallo and Jurickson Profar, Hamilton's potential role isn't exactly obvious.
It doesn't help, either, that Hamilton hasn't been a real threat at the plate in years, having struggled in 50 games with the Rangers in 2015 before spending virtually all of last season rehabbing. In 50 games with Texas two seasons ago, Hamilton hit just .253/.291/.441 (94 OPS+) with eight homers and a 28.6 percent strikeout rate, and went just 3-for-18 (.167) in his club's electric ALDS showdown with the Toronto Blue Jays.
But, Hamilton said, if he does manage to rediscover his stroke - the one that fueled an .871 OPS (130 OPS+) over 977 games from 2007-2014 - no matter where the club decides to play him, it'll be gravy.
"I think the biggest asset you look for, what they'd like to see, is having my bat (return)," Hamilton said. "So however that means me doing that, it's fine, whether it be outfield, first, DH."