Josh Hamilton: A Distant Dream Arrives

A memorial occurrence happened this week in major league baseball. A player who had been out of baseball from 2003 to 2005 battling his addiction to cocaine returned to the passion that he loves, baseball.

Josh Hamilton of the Cincinnati Reds. making his second big league start hit a 366 foot home run on Tuesday night. He then did it again on the next evening. Hamilton said, "I am just happy to have the opportunity." " I feel blessed to be here." After his home run on Tuesday night, his teammates jokingly ignored him. However, Wednesday night was different as he got high fives from his team mates.

Hamilton, 25, had been out of baseball for three years fighting his addiction to cocaine. He stopped using drugs in 2005. Last summer he played in a few minor league games. Hamilton spent eight stints in rehab fighting his addiction. He was the number 1 pick in the draft of 1999. He hadn't played baseball since 2002 because of injuries. Then in February of 2004 he was suspended for violation of major league baseballs drug policy.

The battle and long road back for Hamilton has been one tough fight. Hamilton admits that alcohol also helped add to his problems. Whenever he drank, he also used drugs. Down and out, he considered jumping off a building to end his life. He was separated from his wife and children, when he first met psychologist Keith Brodie. Brodie had been the former Duke University President. Hamilton started attending meetings and kept up his counseling with Brodie. He slowly started getting back with his wife and family.

Roy Silver, who is in charge of a baseball academy at Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater, Florida. Told Hamilton he could stay there and work out. There was one catch. No free ride. Josh would have to work. He did everything from cleaning toilets to pulling weeds. In his spare time, he hit in the batting cage and worked on his other skills as well. He had set a goal in his mind because of his love for the game.