The name Josh Hamilton should ring a bell with a few of the Rays fans around here. Hamilton was the first round pick of the Rays back in 1999.

Then the trouble started. Hamilton was a powerful slugger with an impressive arm ON the field. That's not the problem.

The problem was when Hamilton left baseball diamond. The guy found himself in a world of drug abuse and was put on suspension by the MLB until he got his act together.

After years of waiting around for him to straighten out his life, the Rays dumped him and moved on. It was a sad day in Tampa Bay. The Rays all but gave up on his once blossoming talent.

But Hamilton got his chance to make it in the major leagues. He played with the Reds last year and did pretty well. This year he is doing worlds better than well.

Going into Friday night, Josh's stat line reads:

.298/8 HR/44 RBIs/and most importantly...0 Drugs.

Hamilton is second in the AL in HRs and FIRST in RBIs. CONGRATULATIONS are in order for a guy who never gave up and never gave in to his addictions.

Hamilton is on pace to finish this season with 31 homers and 169 RBIs.

Not bad Josh. Keep it up.

>Bobby Lewis