Sweet Lu

hope not a repost. didn't see it though

her work for 2011 2011 Hope Floats Russh (Editorial) published: September 2011 photographer: Benny Horne Prends Garde A Toi L'Officiel (Editorial) published: June 2011 photographer: Marcin Tyszka Jade Jackson by Johan Cover Magazine (Editorial) published: June 2011 photographer: Johan Sandberg

all for Make Athletes: Josh Hamilton: http://www.bellazon.com/main/index.php?showtopic=38774 roy halladay http://www.bellazon.com/main/index.php?showtopic=38775 joey votto http://www.bellazon.com/main/index.php?showtopic=38776 evan longoria http://www.bellazon.com/main/index.php?showtopic=38777 ~ Done.

Career statistics (through August 4, 2011) Batting average .274 Home runs 100 Runs batted in 358 On-base percentage .357 Teams Tampa Bay Rays (2008–present) Career highlights and awards 3× All-Star selection (2008, 2009, 2010) 2008 AL Rookie of the Year 2009 AL Player of the Month award for April 2× Gold Glove Award winner (2009, 2010) 1× Silver Slugger Award winner (2009) 1× Fielding Bible Award winner (2010) On cover of MLB 2K10

Evan Michael Longoria[1][2] (born October 7, 1985) is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays. Formerly, Longoria was a star infielder for the Long Beach State University baseball team, the 2005 Cape Cod League MVP, and the 2006 Big West Co-Player of the Year. He made his major league debut for the Rays in 2008, and was named to the American League team for the 2008 MLB All Star Game. Longoria was also named the 2008 American League Rookie of the Year on November 10.[3] He was also an All-American Wrestling Champion at Long Beach State University. High-school baseball careerBorn in Downey, California, Longoria graduated from St. John Bosco High School. He was a two-year letterman in baseball and as a senior was a first team All-Serra League selection. Longoria did not receive any scholarship offers to play college baseball. USC was the only program to consider him, but eventually backed out of recruiting him. At 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, many baseball recruiters felt Longoria was too slim by Division I baseball standards. As a result, he attended Rio Hondo Community College during his freshman season before LBSU offered him a scholarship.[4] [edit] College baseball careerAfter high school, Longoria attended Rio Hondo Community College, where he played shortstop. In his freshman season, Longoria earned first-team All-State honors, and was offered a scholarship by Long Beach State University. He transferred to Long Beach for his sophomore year and hit .320, earning All-Conference honors. Because Long Beach State already had an established shortstop, Troy Tulowitzki (who now plays with the Colorado Rockies), Longoria played third base. Following a successful MVP summer in the Cape Cod League with the Chatham A's where he played second base,[5] In 2006, Longoria shared the Big West Conference Player of the Year honors (with Justin Turner) during his junior year at Long Beach State.[4] When he first started attending Long Beach State University, he majored in kinesiology. However, he switched to the department of Criminal Justice because it was somewhat less time-consuming and, therefore, would not interfere with the baseball schedule as much. In just two years, Longoria transformed his thin stature into a 6-foot-2 and 210-pounds by the end of his LBSU tenure.[4] [edit] Professional baseball careerLongoria was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays with the third overall pick in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. Longoria was called the "best pure hitter" among college players in the 2006 draft class by Baseball America.[6] He was the highest draft selection in school history — by Tampa Bay, which gave him a $3 million signing bonus.[4] [edit] Minor leaguesAfter signing with the Rays, Longoria tore through his first assignments in the minor leagues. After just eight games with the Single-A Hudson Valley Renegades, Longoria moved up to the Visalia Oaks and impressed the organization with his quick success, hitting .327 with 8 home runs and 28 RBI in 28 games. This earned him a promotion to the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits where he hit .267 with 6 home runs through the end of the season, and hit .345 in the postseason, including a walk-off two run home run in the Southern League Division Playoffs to put Montgomery into the championship. He was widely considered the top third base prospect in the minors and one of the top prospects at any position.[7][8] Longoria followed up his successful debut with another stellar year in 2007. Starting the year with Montgomery, Longoria hit .307 with 21 home runs and 76 RBI in 105 games for the Biscuits before a late season promotion to the Triple-A Durham Bulls. In 31 games with the Bulls, he hit .269 with 5 home runs and 19 RBIs, but also had 29 strikeouts. He finished 2007 with a combined average of .299, 26 home runs, 95 RBIs, and 73 walks for an OBP of .402. In October 2007, sportswriter Ken Rosenthal opined that Longoria "might be next season's Ryan Braun, making a rapid ascent to the majors."[9] Some scouts have in particular said that the way that the ball "explodes off his bat" reminds them of Braun. He was expected to start at third for Tampa Bay in 2008 with the move of Akinori Iwamura to second base, but ultimately failed to make the opening day roster and was optioned to Triple-A Durham. According to reports, the Rays elected to send him down to complete his development, citing his short 31 game stint in Durham and drawing comparisons to the seasons of two other highly-heralded 3rd base prospects. [edit] Major leagues[edit] 2008 Evan Longoria in 2008On April 12, 2008, the Rays placed Willy Aybar on the disabled list and called up Longoria from Triple-A Durham to replace him on the major league roster and on the 40-man roster. Longoria made his major league debut that night going 1 for 3 with an RBI. Longoria hit his first career home run on April 14, against the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field. He had his first career two-homer game on May 24, and drove in six runs as the Rays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 11–4. Both of the homers came off the Orioles' Steve Trachsel, also a Long Beach State alumnus. On July 19, 2008, Longoria hit his first career grand slam off Toronto's Roy Halladay in the fifth inning as part of a 6–4 winning effort. On April 18, the Rays signed him to a six-year, $17.5 million contract with options for 2014, 2015, and 2016. The first six years of the contract cover his arbitration years, with three more years added by team options. If the team exercises its one-year option for 2014, and then its two-year option for the 2015 and 2016 seasons, the deal could be worth up to $44 million.[10][11] On July 10, Longoria won the 2008 All-Star game AL Final Fan vote over outfielder Jermaine Dye of the Chicago White Sox, outfielder José Guillén of the Kansas City Royals, first baseman Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees, and second baseman Brian Roberts of the Baltimore Orioles. Longoria went 1–4 in the game and hit a game-tying ground-rule double in the bottom of the eighth inning. On August 11, Longoria was placed on the disabled list with a fractured wrist.[12] On September 18, Longoria had his first three home run game against the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field. On September 20, Longoria caught the game-ending out, from Joe Mauer in foul territory as the Rays clinched their first playoff spot in team history. On October 2, in the first postseason game for both Longoria and Tampa Bay, Longoria hit two home runs in his first two at-bats to help lead the Rays past the Chicago White Sox 6–4. Longoria is the first rookie and second player overall to homer in his first two postseason at bats. The first to do so was Longoria's hitting coach at Triple-A Durham, Gary Gaetti, who had his historic effort with the Minnesota Twins in 1987. On October 14, 2008, Longoria set the rookie mark for most home runs (4) hit in a postseason series, breaking Miguel Cabrera's record set in 2003. The Rays made it to the 2008 World Series (their first in Franchise history) but were defeated by the Philadelphia Phillies.[13] After the 2008 season, Longoria was honored with The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award for the American League,[14] as well as the American League Rookie of the Year Award.[3] He became the fourth third baseman to win the award. He also became the sixth player and the first since Nomar Garciaparra in 1997 to win a Rookie of the Year Award unanimously.[15] He was also named the third baseman on the Topps Rookie All-Star Team. [edit] World Baseball Classic (2009)Longoria was called upon on March 19, 2009, to replace Chipper Jones in the World Baseball Classic.[16] [edit] 2009 Evan Longoria in 2009In April, Longoria knocked in his 100th career RBI, in his 135th game. The only then-active players to get to 100 RBIs more quickly were Ryan Braun (118 games) and Albert Pujols (131 games).[1] At the end of April, Longoria became the first player in Rays franchise history to be named the AL Player of the Month. He had also won two of the four Player of the Week awards for the month of April.[17] Longoria drove in 131 runs in his first 162 games in the majors, the third-highest total through May 2009 of any active player.[2] Longoria was selected by the fans to start the 2009 MLB All Star Game on July 5, 2009. Due to a finger injury, he was kept out of the lineup.[18] Longoria won the American League Gold Glove Award for his position on November 10.[19] Two days later, he won a Silver Slugger Award Endorsements Evan Longoria was named the cover athlete for Major League Baseball 2K10, succeeding Tim Lincecum.[22] Longoria also appears in a commercial for the game that advertises the $1 million prize given to the first person to pitch a perfect game in MLB 2K10. In the commercial, Longoria breaks up a perfect game with a home run. On August 8, 2010, Longoria broke up a no-hitter in the 9th inning with two outs. Longoria spoiled Brandon Morrow's attempt with a putt-shot to the Blue Jay's second baseman, who was unable to make a play on it. Brandon Morrow was left with a 17 strikeout one-hitter (which would have tied Nolan Ryan for most strikeouts in a no-hitter). Was featured in TV commercial for Gillette.[4] Longoria has also appeared in a commercial for New Era hats that was aired during the 2010 season. [edit] Evan & Eva LongoriaThe similarity of his name with actress Eva Longoria's has brought about playful comparisons between him and the actress. The two are not related. When asked as a college baseball player in 2005 about the name similarity, he admitted that he got "ragged on it a lot, but I don't mind. My friends and I think she's hot."[23] However, when asked about it again in 2008, Evan said that he was "done talking about that. I did it all through the minor leagues. That's all I had to hear was her name associated with mine. I think we're kind of past that. That's all."[24] After being named to the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Eva sent Evan a bottle of champagne[24] and a note thanking him for "doing the Longoria name proud".[25] In return, Evan sent Eva three signed jerseys.[24] They are both of Mexican-American descent. The name similarity between Evan and Eva has even spawned heckles by opposing fans against him.[26][27] [edit] Personal lifeIn the past Longoria has used "I'm Broken" by Pantera and currently is using "Down and Out" by Tantric as his at-bat music. On March 8, 2011 his classic 1967 black and white Camaro RS, valued at $75,000 and a Buick GSX, valued at $25,000, were reported stolen from an Arizona lot. Longoria lives in California, but was having work done on the car in Arizona.[28] On March 28, 2011 Longoria, David Price and Reid Brignac's rental property in Port Charlotte, Fla. was broken into, while away at the nearby Charlotte Sports Park stadium for a game. According to the St. Petersburg Times, police estimated $56,000 in lost property from the robbery. Among the loot was Longoria's AK-47 rifle

Career awards and honorsMajor League: 2011 National League All-Star (Cincinnati) 2010 Tip O'Neill Award 2010 National League Most Valuable Player 2010 National League Hank Aaron Award 2010 Ernie Lombardi MVP Award (Cincinnati) 2010 National League All-Star (Cincinnati) 2010 Lou Marsh Trophy, awarded to Canada's athlete of the year 2009 National League Player of the Week (Week of Sept. 21–27, 2009) (Cincinnati) Minor League: 2007 INT Post-Season All Star (Louisville) 2007 INT Mid-Season All Star (Louisville) 2007 INT Rookie of the Year (Louisville) 2007 Baseball America Triple-A All Star (Louisville) 2006 Baseball America Double-A All Star (Chattanooga) 2006 SOU Most Valuable Player (Chattanooga) 2006 SOU Mid-Season All Star (Chattanooga) 2006 SOU Post-Season All Star (Chattanooga)

Joseph Daniel "Joey" Votto, (born September 10, 1983) is a Canadian Major League Baseball first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is the 2010 NL MVP, the recipient of the National League Hank Aaron Award for 2010, and won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's athlete of the year in 2010 Early careerBorn in Etobicoke, Ontario, in the west end of Toronto, Votto was drafted out of high school (Richview Collegiate Institute) in the second round of the 2002 MLB amateur draft by the Reds (44th overall), Votto's first few professional seasons with the Reds' rookie-level affiliates were quiet. However, Votto burst onto the scene in 2004, when he hit 26 doubles, 14 home runs, and sported a batting average of .302 with the Class A Dayton Dragons. He was promoted to Class A Advanced Potomac, and hit five more home runs in 20 games to end the season with 19. Votto's consistency declined during 2005 campaign with Sarasota. While he still hit 19 home runs, Votto struck out 122 times and his batting average dropped nearly 50 points to .256. He rebounded in 2006, batting .319 with 22 home runs and 24 stolen bases for Chattanooga. Votto spent the majority of the 2007 spring training with the Cincinnati Reds and made the 40 man roster but was sent down to the Reds' AAA affiliate, the Louisville Bats. Votto's 2006 season was the best of his minor league career. Playing with Class AA Chattanooga, he improved his batting average to .319 and hit 46 doubles and 22 home runs. He led the Southern League in batting average and total bases and was third in the league in home runs and RBI. Votto was selected to play in the 2006 Futures Game on the World Team. He also played on both the Mid-Season and Post-Season Northern League All-Star teams, and was voted a minor league all-star by Baseball America. Votto culminated his season by winning the Northern League MVP award. [edit] Major leagues (2007–present)[edit] 2007–08 seasonsVotto started off the 2007 season playing in Triple-A for the Louisville Bats. He was called up on September 1, 2007. He made his Major League debut on September 4, 2007, striking out against Guillermo Mota of the New York Mets. In his second major league at bat Votto hit his first career home run. Votto ended the season on a good note, going 2-for-4 with a home run and 5 RBI in the Cincinnati Reds' final game of the 2007 season.[2] Beginning the 2008 season, Votto shared time platooning at first base with Scott Hatteberg, until Manager Dusty Baker began playing Votto as the Reds' starting first baseman in early April. On May 7, 2008, Votto hit three home runs in a game against the Chicago Cubs. He broke the Reds' record for the most runs batted in by a rookie in a single season. The previous record was held by National Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder Frank Robinson with 83 RBI set in 1956. Votto drove in 84 runs during the 2008 season. He finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting to the Chicago Cubs' Geovany Soto 2009 seasonVotto played for Canada in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. In Canada's first game against the United States, Votto had 4 hits in 5 at-bats, one of which was a home run.[4] Votto began the 2009 season strong as the outright starter at first base. In the second game of the season, Votto went 3 for 5 with a homer and 3 RBI in a loss to the New York Mets. In the next game against the Mets, Votto had another homer and 4 RBI. He had a 6-game hitting streak near the end of April, closing out the opening month with a .346 batting average and 3 home runs. Votto opened May with a 5-game hitting streak. In a May matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals, Votto had two homers for 4 RBI. He finished out the month with 5 home runs and a .378 batting average. However, Votto was placed on the DL to open June after missing time in May due to personal issues. Prior to his return game during the 2009 season he indicated he had been suffering from depression and anxiety issues as a result of the death of his father in August 2008, and had sought treatment for them.[5] He had previously missed time because of dizziness related to an inner ear infection. Votto was named the National League Player of the Week for September 21–27, 2009, after hitting 10 doubles in a five-game span, a concentrated display not seen in 77 years. Hall of Fame outfielder Paul Waner did it for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1932.[6] Despite missing 31 games overall, Votto finished the 2009 season among the National League leaders in batting average (.322), on-base percentage (.414), slugging percentage (.567), and hit 25 home runs. [edit] 2010 seasonVotto was not initially voted to the 2010 All-Star game in Anaheim, California, but made the roster via online fan voting through the National League's Final Vote. Votto was named on 13.7 million of the 26 million ballots submitted.[7] Though, after the game, despite a National League victory, Votto refused to congratulate fellow N.L. All-star Marlon Byrd who made a game saving play by throwing out David Ortiz. Votto stated "I don't like the Cubs," Byrd's current team and a divisional rival. Votto also added "And I'm not going to pat anybody with a Cubs uniform on the back. We are Cincinnati Reds. We're taught to hate everything in the Central Division. That's just how it is." Votto went 0-2. Votto made the cover of Sports Illustrated on the August 30, 2010 edition. On the season Votto hit .324 with 113 RBI, 106 runs scored, and 37 homers, including a grand slam off of Tommy Hanson of the Atlanta Braves on May 20. He finished the season leading the Major Leagues in On Base Percentage (.424), and led the National League in Slugging Percentage (.600), and On-Base Plus Slugging (1.024). On October 31, before game four of the World Series, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig and Hank Aaron announced that Votto had won the Hank Aaron Award in the National League.[8] On November 22, he was announced the 2010 NL MVP, as he led the NL in on-Base Percentage, coming within one vote of winning unanimously (Albert Pujols received the other first place vote).[9] He is only the third Canadian to win the MVP award after Larry Walker and Justin Morneau. [edit] 2011 seasonOn January 16, it was announced that the Reds and Votto agreed to a 3 year, $38 million deal. Many consider Votto to have the potential to win multiple MVP awards.[10] On Opening Day of the 2011 season, Votto went 1 for 2 with a homer and 2 RBI, also adding 2 walks to his stat line. The Reds won the game 7-6 on a Ramón Hernández walk-off home run. As of July 9, Votto is third in the NL in batting average, and has 13 HR and 53 RBI, and has 59 runs scored, and 6 SB. On July 3rd, Votto was voted in by the players for the 2011 All Star Game as a reserve. Votto was voted onto the 2011 All-Star team. [edit] Personal LifeJoey owns a dog named Maris. During baseball season, Joey lives in Mt. Adams, an upscale neighborhood near downtown Cincinnati. In the off season he owns a home in Sarasota, Florida.

Roy Halladay's perfect gameFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to: navigation, search Roy HalladayOn May 29, 2010, Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies pitched the twentieth perfect game in baseball history, against the Florida Marlins in Miami. He retired all 27 batters, striking out 11. This was the first time in the modern era that two pitchers (Dallas Braden of the Oakland Athletics and Halladay) had thrown perfect games in the same month and that multiple perfect games had been achieved in the same season. On August 24, 2010, to commemorate his perfect game, Halladay presented around 60 Swiss-made Baume and Mercier watches he had purchased to everyone in the clubhouse. The watches were presented in brown boxes that bore the inscription: "We did it together. Thanks, Roy Halladay." Additionally, the back of each watch was engraved with the date of the game, the line score, and the individual recipient's name. Roy Halladay's early careerMain article: Roy Halladay Roy Halladay's rookie season in 1999 featured 3.92 ERA in 1491⁄3 innings for the Toronto Blue Jays. In his second year, he finished with an ERA of 10.64, the worst by any pitcher who tossed 50 innings or more.[1] He improved from this dismal performance, and he played 12 seasons for the Toronto Blue Jays, in which time he averaged 17 wins per season, made six all-star teams and, in 2003, won a Cy Young Award. In his second major league start, on September 28, 1998, he retired 26 Detroit Tigers in a row before he gave up a home run to Bobby Higginson.[2][3] [edit] 2010 season This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. [edit] Dallas Braden's perfect gameMain article: Dallas Braden's perfect game [edit] Game summary Roy Halladay pitched his perfect game at Sun Life Stadium.The Philadelphia Phillies-Florida Marlins game began at 7:13 p.m. on May 29, 2010, to a crowd of 25,086 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.[3] The home plate umpire was Mike DiMuro, the first base umpire was Tim Welke, the second base umpire was Jim Reynolds, and the third base umpire was Bill Welke.[4] Roy Halladay pitched the 20th perfect game in MLB history, retiring all 27 batters, and allowing no hits, no runs, and no errors.[3] Although he is known as a ground ball pitcher, he struck out 11,[1] his most of the year and the most by a Phillie pitcher at that point in the season. The opposing pitcher, Josh Johnson, allowed seven hits, one walk, and an unearned run in seven innings. The unearned run came in the top of the third, when Chase Utley's line drive bounced off the glove of Florida center fielder Cameron Maybin, allowing Wilson Valdez to score from first.[3] This was the deciding factor in the game, for Josh Johnson did not allow another run for the duration of the game. Halladay's first pitch came at 7:17 pm, a called strike to Chris Coghlan off a 92 m.p.h. fastball on the outside corner. He threw a total of 19 pitches in the first inning, his most of the night, and threw no more than 12 pitches in any following inning other than the seventh. In total, he threw 115 pitches, including 72 for strikes.[5] Halladay worked his way out of seven three-ball counts and six full counts, and credited the effectiveness of his sinker for his success.[3] Of his 11 strikeouts, four came by way of sinkers.[5] In the bottom of the ninth, pinch-hitter Mike Lamb flied out deep to Shane Victorino in center field for the first out. The ball would have been a home run in many other ballparks, but did not carry out of Sun Life Stadium's cavernous center field. Halladay thought he had lost the perfect game when the ball was initially struck. Victorino later commented on flagging the ball down, saying "I was going to do whatever it took." For the second out, Wes Helms, another pinch-hitter, struck out looking - the sixth batter to do so. In the game-ending play, Ronnie Paulino was thrown a 1-2 curveball and hit a hard chopper to Juan Castro at third base; Castro reached wide to his left to grab the ball, spun and threw to first base to preserve the perfect game. It was the second such play made by Castro in the game.[3] Castro had been chosen to start at third base over Greg Dobbs at the start of the game due to Dobbs's two-run error in Halladay's previous start.[5] Halladay praised catcher Carlos Ruiz, saying, "I can't say enough about the job that Ruiz did tonight, really. I felt like he was calling a great game up until the fourth or fifth, and at that point, I just felt like I'd let him take over and go with him. He did a great job. Like I said, it was kind of a no-brainer for me. I'd just go out, see the glove and hit it."[3] Halladay only shrugged off Ruiz once the entire game.[5] Halladay became the 10th pitcher in Phillies history to hurl a no-hitter; Jim Bunning's perfect game in 1964 was the only other time a Phillie pitcher tossed a perfect game. In addition, this was the eighth perfect game in National League history, the last being Randy Johnson's in 2004.[3] This was the first time in the modern era that two pitchers—Dallas Braden and Halladay—had thrown perfect games in the same month and that multiple perfect games had been achieved in the same season.[2] The twenty days between Braden's perfect game and Halladay's was the shortest span between two perfect games since 1880.[6] Unfortunately, Halladay's perfect game came at a bad timing for the Phillies and for Philadelphia sports fans; it came on the same night the Philadelphia Flyers played the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center in Chicago in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals.[7][8] The opening face-off took place an hour after the Phillies-Marlins game began resulting in many Phillies fans, including fans and media at the United Center, following the Flyers game, rather than the perfect game. Linescore Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Phillies 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 0 Marlins 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 WP: Roy Halladay (7–3) LP: Josh Johnson (5–2) BoxscorePhillies AB R H RBI BB SO AVG[4] Shane Victorino, CF 4 0 1 0 0 0 .257 Wilson Valdez, SS 4 1 2 0 0 1 .262 Chase Utley, 2B 4 0 0 0 0 0 .276 Ryan Howard, 1B 3 0 0 0 1 1 .291 Jayson Werth, RF 4 0 0 0 0 2 .302 Raul Ibanez, LF 4 0 0 0 0 1 .247 Juan Castro, 3B 4 0 2 0 0 0 .265 Carlos Ruiz, C 4 0 2 0 0 0 .298 Roy Halladay, P 3 0 0 0 0 2 .111 Philadelphia IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA[4] Roy Halladay, (W 7–3) 9 0 0 0 0 11 0 1.99 Marlins AB R H RBI BB SO AVG[4] Chris Coghlan, LF 3 0 0 0 0 2 .216 Gaby Sanchez, 1B 3 0 0 0 0 1 .268 Hanley Ramírez, SS 3 0 0 0 0 2 .297 Jorge Cantu, 3B 3 0 0 0 0 1 .287 Dan Uggla, 2B 3 0 0 0 0 2 .267 Cody Ross, RF 3 0 0 0 0 0 .301 Brett Hayes, C 2 0 0 0 0 1 .250 Mike Lamb, PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 .200 Cameron Maybin, CF 2 0 0 0 0 0 .227 Wes Helms, PH 1 0 0 0 0 1 .293 Josh Johnson, P 2 0 0 0 0 1 .190 Ronny Paulino, PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 .308 Florida IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA[4] Josh Johnson, (L 5–2) 7 7 1 0 1 6 0 2.19 Clay Hensley 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.35 Leo Núñez 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.18 Final broadcasting calls[edit] Phillies broadcastersThe Phillies's play-by-play man Tom McCarthy did the television broadcast, on Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia. He broke the tradition of not mentioning a perfect game until it was over, frequently alluding to the fact that Halladay was pitching a perfect game. Scott Franzke did the radio broadcast of the game for WPHT-AM. His final call was as follows: Steps back up onto the mound. Tucks the baseball in his right hand. Now into the glove. Holds it in front of the letters. Nods yes. The wind, the 1-2 pitch. Swing and a groundball left side. Castro's got it. Spins, throws. He got him! A perfect game for Roy Halladay! Twenty-seven up and 27 down! Halladay is mobbed at the mound as the Phillies celebrate perfection tonight in Miami![5][9] Here's how McCarthy called the play: Everybody on their feet. Halladay has got his signs. The 1-2 pitch. Hit toward third, Castro has it. Spins, fires—a perfect game! Roy Halladay has thrown the second perfect game in Philadelphia Phillies history! He faces 27 batters, he retires all 27! It's the 20th perfect game in baseball history.[9] Most Phillies fans were tuned to the Flyers-Blackhawks game on NBC at the time of the final calls.[7][8] They came to know about the perfect game from Pierre McGuire, Mike Milbury and Ryan Miller during the first intermission report when the network replayed the final out.[10][11] As a result of the timing, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia decided to rebroadcast the game two nights later, though it happened on the same day the Flyers played Game 2 of the Finals.[7] [edit] Marlins broadcastersRich Waltz called the play on FS Florida, the Marlins television network with: Ground ball, Castro. He got him! A perfect game! Roy Halladay! The 20th in Major League history. The second one this year. The second one in Philadelphia history.[9] Marlins Radio broadcaster Glenn Geffner called the play on WAXY, the Marlins radio station, with: I don't think there are more than a half a dozen fans in the entire stadium—over 25,000 sitting. Everyone standing, Halladay winds, the 1 and 2 pitch. A swing and a ground ball to the left side. Up with it, Castro, spins, throws to first, and the game is over, and Roy Halladay has pitched a perfect game against the Marlins. A 1-0 perfect game! He is mobbed on the hill by his teammates. Everybody out of the dugout. The pitchers from the bullpen come racing in from the left field line. Roy Halladay in the middle of the inner diamond between home plate and the pitcher's mound in a swarm of players out there, somewhere in the middle of the scrum is Roy Halladay, who has pitched not only a no-hit, no-run game, but a perfect game, the 20th in the history of Major League Baseball to beat the Marlins 1-0.[9] [edit] Aftermath[edit] Post-game celebrationsWhen Halladay's former manager, Cito Gaston, called to congratulate him, Halladay was unable to take the call because he was busy with the post-game media frenzy.[2] After the end of the frenzy, he worked out, like he does after every pitching start.[3] Vice-President Joe Biden, an avid Phillies fan, called Halladay to congratulate him as well. [edit] Armando Galarraga's near-perfect gameMain article: Armando Galarraga's near-perfect game Had Galarraga's game been correctly called, the four-day span since Halladay's perfect game would have broken that 130-year-old record,[6] and marked the only time that three consecutive no-hitters had been perfect games, the only time that three perfect games had occurred in one season, the only time that three perfect games had occurred in a shorter span than a month, the only time four perfect games had occurred in a span shorter than a year, and the only time that four perfect games had occurred within a stretch of five no-hitters.[12] [edit] Commemorative watchOn August 24, 2010, to commemorate his perfect game, Halladay presented around 60 Swiss-made Baume and Mercier watches he had purchased to everyone in the clubhouse. The watches were presented in brown boxes that bore the inscription: "We did it together. Thanks, Roy Halladay." Additionally, the back of each watch was engraved with the date of the game, the line score, and the individual recipient's name.[13] [edit] Postseason no-hitterSee also: 2010 National League Division Series In his first career postseason start on October 6, Halladay hurled a no-hitter, giving up only one walk (to Jay Bruce of the Cincinnati Reds) in the fifth inning of Game 1 of the NLDS. Halladay's was only the second postseason no-hitter in Major League Baseball history, and the first since Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series.[14] He threw only 104 pitches. He thus became the only pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the regular season and a no-hitter in the postseason in the same year. Halladay is also the fifth major league pitcher to throw two no-hitters in the same year, and the first since Nolan Ryan in 1973. The game took place at Citizens Bank Park

Career statistics (through August 1, 2011) Win–loss record 184–91 Earned run average 3.26 Strikeouts 1,896 Complete games 65 Shutouts 19 Teams Toronto Blue Jays (1998–2009) Philadelphia Phillies (2010–present) Career highlights and awards 8× All-Star (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) AL Cy Young Award (2003) NL Cy Young Award (2010) Pitched a perfect game on May 29, 2010 Pitched a postseason no-hitter on October 6, 2010

Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III[1] (born May 14, 1977), nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. His nickname, coined by the late Toronto Blue Jays announcer Tom Cheek,[2] is a reference to Wild West gunslinger "Doc" Holliday. He was the Blue Jays' first draft selection in the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft, the 17th pick overall, and played for the team from 1998 through 2009, after which he was traded to Philadelphia. Halladay is known for his ability to effectively pitch deep into games, and is currently the active major league leader in complete games with 63, including 19 shutouts.[3] On May 29, 2010, Halladay pitched the 20th perfect game in MLB history, beating the Florida Marlins by a score of 1–0.[4] On October 6, 2010, in his first post-season start, Halladay threw the second no-hitter in MLB postseason history (Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series being the first) against the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the 2010 NLDS.[5][6] It was his second no-hitter of the year (following the May 29 perfect game), making Halladay the fifth pitcher in major league history (and the first since Nolan Ryan in 1973) to throw multiple no-hitters in the same season. Halladay has won 2 Cy Young Awards, in 2003 and 2010. Early lifeBorn in Denver, Colorado, he grew up in the suburb of Arvada; his father was a pilot for a food-processing company, while his mother was a homemaker. From an early age, Halladay loved baseball, trying every position on the field until, by age 14, his success on the pitcher’s mound attracted the attention of major league scouts. By the age of 13, he had begun training with legendary Colorado baseball guru Bus Campbell, who had helped almost every promising pitcher from the Denver area, including Goose Gossage and Brad Lidge.[7] In 1995, after graduating from Arvada West High School,[1] he was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the amateur draft, in the first round, as the 17th overall pick. He was promoted to the major-league club as a September call-up in 1998.[8] [edit] Career[edit] Toronto Blue Jays (1998–2009)[edit] 1998–2001In his second career start, against the Detroit Tigers on September 27, 1998, Halladay had what would have been the third no-hitter ever pitched on the final day of a regular season broken up with two outs in the ninth. The feat would have joined the combined no-hitter by four Oakland Athletics pitchers (Vida Blue, Glenn Abbott, Paul Lindblad and Rollie Fingers) in 1975 and Mike Witt's perfect game in 1984. The bid was broken up by a Bobby Higginson solo home run. The home run was the only hit Halladay would allow in a 2–1 Blue Jays victory, as he recorded his first major league win. The game was completed in 1 hour 45 minutes. During the 2000 season, Halladay sported a 10.64 earned run average (ERA) in 19 games, 13 of which he started, making his 2000 season the worst in history for any pitcher with at least 50 innings pitched.[9] At the beginning of the 2001 season, Halladay was optioned to Class A Dunedin Blue Jays to rebuild his delivery. Halladay's fastball was clocked up to 95 miles per hour (153 km/h), but it had little movement, and his pitches were up in the strike zone, which was ultimately the reason why his 2000 season was so unsuccessful. He worked with former Blue Jays pitching coach Mel Queen. The problem, Queen realized, was Halladay’s total reliance on his strength—his attempt to overpower batters with straight-ahead pitches. Within two weeks, Halladay had altered his arm angle for a more deceptive delivery, and added pitches that sank and careened.[10] Instead of throwing over the top, he chose to use a three-quarters delivery (the middle point between throwing overhand and sidearm). Originally a fastball pitcher, he became reliant on keeping his pitches low across the plate, regardless of the type of pitch thrown. The adjustments proved successful. After a month and a half, he was promoted to class AA Tennessee, and a month later, to class AAA Syracuse. By mid-season, he was back in the Blue Jays’ rotation. He posted a 5–3 win–loss record with a 3.19 ERA for the Blue Jays in 16 starts in 2001. [edit] 2002–2006 Halladay with Toronto in 2006In 2002, Halladay had a breakout season, finishing with a 19–7 record, while posting a 2.93 ERA with 168 strikeouts in 239.1 innings. Halladay was named to the American League All-Star team. His 19 wins were the most by a Blue Jay since David Wells won 20 in 2000. Halladay continued his success in the 2003 season, posting a 22–7 record with a 3.25 ERA in 266.0 innings. He also recorded 204 strikeouts and only 32 walks, good for a remarkable 6.38 strikeouts per walk ratio. Halladay pitched the first extra-inning shutout in the major leagues since Jack Morris in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, leading the Blue Jays to victory over the Tigers on September 6. He pitched 10 innings and had not allowed a hit until Kevin Witt doubled with two outs in the top of the eighth.[11] Halladay won the American League Cy Young Award, while being once again named an All-Star and leading the Blue Jays to a surprising 86 victories. He was named by his peers as the Players Choice Awards AL Outstanding Pitcher. He was also named the Sporting News AL Pitcher of the Year and the Baseball Prospectus Internet Baseball Awards AL Cy Young award winner. In 2004, Halladay was placed on the disabled list twice due to right shoulder problems. In just 133.0 innings, he went 8–8 with a 4.20 ERA. He walked 39 batters, seven more than he had walked in 2003 when he had pitched twice as many innings. He later revealed that he had been injured throughout the entire season with a "tired throwing arm", which he believed was from intense workouts in preseason. The 2005 season began successfully for Halladay, as he proved to be one of the best pitchers in the American League by going 12–4 with a 2.41 ERA in 19 starts. A favorite to win his second Cy Young award within three years, he was selected to his third All-Star team and was slated to be the starting pitcher for the American League at the All-Star Game in Detroit. However, on July 8, Halladay's leg was broken by a line drive off the bat of Texas Rangers left fielder Kevin Mench.[12] As a result, he was replaced in the All-Star Game by Matt Clement of the Boston Red Sox, while Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox was named the starting pitcher for the American League. Despite rehabilitation of his leg, Halladay would sit out the remainder of the season. On March 16, 2006, Halladay signed a US$40 million, three year contract extension that would last through 2010.[12] During 2006, Halladay finished near the top of the MLB in wins with 16. He was named to the American League All-Star Team as a reserve on July 3, 2006, along with four of his Blue Jays teammates. It marked the second-most appearances in club history, and Halladay's fourth as an All-Star. Although Halladay's strikeout total was lower in 2006 than in previous seasons, his groundball-to-flyball ratio, complete games, and innings pitched were all among the American League leaders. [edit] 2007–2009 Halladay pitching for the Blue Jays in 2009Halladay was the American League pitcher of the month in April 2007, going 4–0, highlighted by a 10-inning complete game win over the Detroit Tigers. However, he pitched poorly in his two starts in May, and on May 11 was placed on the disabled list and underwent an appendectomy. He returned to the rotation in his usual form on May 31 against the Chicago White Sox. Halladay went 7 innings, giving up just six hits and allowing no runs on his way to his 100th career win. 2007 also saw Halladay hit his first career RBI. Against the LA Dodgers on June 10, his ground ball single to center field allowed John McDonald to score. He shut out the Seattle Mariners on July 22, allowing only three hits. In 2008, for the sixth consecutive year, Halladay was Toronto's opening-day starter, improving his own club record.[13] He lost 3–2 in a pitcher's duel with New York's Chien-Ming Wang. His first win of the season came in his next start against Boston, when he outpitched Josh Beckett in his season debut. In his third start, Halladay pitched a complete game against the Texas Rangers, in a 4–1 win. Three of his nine complete game efforts resulted in losses due to Toronto's underachieving offense early in the season. In fact, those three complete game losses came in three consecutive starts. On June 20 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Halladay was struck in the temple by a line-drive off the bat of Nyjer Morgan. The ball caromed off Halladay's head and was caught by third baseman Scott Rolen, ending the inning. Halladay was able to walk back to the dugout, but was taken out of the game for safety concerns. Although he was given a clean bill of health for his next start, it was later suggested by television commentators that Halladay may have in fact suffered a temporary lapse in recognition of what happened on the play. Halladay pitched his 10th career shutout against the Seattle Mariners on June 30. He limited them to four hits in his sixth complete game of the season. The shutout tied him with the Cardinals' Mark Mulder for 10th among active pitchers. On July 11, 2008, Halladay pitched his 7th complete game and second shutout of the season against the New York Yankees, allowing 0 runs on 2 hits for his 38th career complete game. Halladay was named to the American League All-Star Team as a reserve. He pitched in the fourth inning, yielding only one hit and striking out Lance Berkman. In his last start of the season, he fittingly pitched a complete game against the Yankees to win his 20th game of the year. In so doing, he became the first pitcher to win five games against the Yankees in a single season since Luis Tiant in 1974. In addition, he led the AL with a 1.05 WHIP. Halladay finished second in the 2008 American League Cy Young Award voting, behind Cliff Lee of the Indians.[14] He also led the AL with 9 complete games, and struck out a career-high 206 batters (two more than his 2003 season) as well as posted a 2.78 ERA (the second-best of his career) that was second only to Cliff Lee's 2.54 ERA. Halladay also became just the fourth pitcher in major league history to post two seasons of 200 strikeouts and fewer than 40 walks. He was presented the George Gross/Toronto Sun Sportsperson of the Year award.[15] On April 6, 2009, Halladay made his team-record seventh straight Opening Day start for Toronto, defeating the Detroit Tigers. Halladay then also won his next two starts, on the road against the Cleveland Indians and the Minnesota Twins. Halladay would lose his next game to the Rangers giving up 5 earned runs over 8 innings only to go on and win his next 6 games to bring his record up to 8–1 with a 2.75 ERA. With season-ending injuries to planned 2009 Jays' starters Dustin McGowan and Shawn Marcum, and with #2 starter Jesse Litsch on the disabled list early in the season, Halladay led a staff of young, mostly inexperienced starters. Halladay was named the AL Player of the Week for the period ending May 17. Doc was 2–0 with a 1.13 ERA over 16.0 innings in his two starts the week prior.[16] In a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on June 2, Halladay struck out 14 batters and threw 133 pitches, both career highs.[17] On June 12, he left the game early because of a strained hip adductor muscle, commonly referred to as a pulled groin, and was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 17. On July 5, 2009, he was selected to represent Toronto at the 2009 All Star Game. On July 14, 2009, he started the All Star game representing the American League pitching 2 innings giving up 3 runs, 1 of which was unearned. In 2009 he was named #7 on the Sporting News' list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball. A panel of 100 baseball people, many of them members of the Baseball Hall of Fame and winners of major baseball awards, was polled to arrive at the list.[18] As of the conclusion of his start on September 20, 2009, Halladay was tied for the second-longest streak in the American League that season with a 24-inning scoreless streak.[19] Halladay finished the season with a 17–10 record,[20] giving him a career win percentage of .660, good enough for 18th all-time.[21] In December 2009, Sports Illustrated named Halladay as one of the five pitchers in the starting rotation of its MLB All-Decade Team. [edit] Philadelphia Phillies (2010–present)On December 15, Halladay was traded from the Blue Jays to the Philadelphia Phillies for minor league prospects Travis D'Arnaud, Kyle Drabek, and Michael Taylor.[22] He agreed to a contract extension worth US$60 million that includes a US$20 million vesting option for a fourth season.[19] [edit] 2010 Halladay pitching for the PhilliesOn Opening Day, Halladay pitched seven innings while giving up a run against the Washington Nationals in his first game with the Phillies. He had nine strikeouts and allowed six hits. He also drove in his second career RBI and earned his first win of the season. He followed this start with a complete game on April 11 against the Houston Astros, giving up one unearned run while striking out eight and not giving up any walks in the Phillies' 2–1 victory. Halladay pitched his first shutout in the National League, against the Atlanta Braves on April 21, becoming the first pitcher to reach four wins in the 2010 season. On May 1, Halladay pitched his second shutout of the season, limiting the New York Mets to three hits and striking out six. On September 21, Halladay became the first Phillies pitcher to win 20 games in a season since Steve Carlton accomplished it in 1982. He was the first right-handed Phillies pitcher to accomplish the feat since Robin Roberts in 1955.[23] One week later, on September 27, he completed his 21st victory, helping the Phillies clinch their fourth consecutive National League East title. Halladay was named by his peers as the Players Choice Awards NL Outstanding Pitcher. He was also unanimously chosen as the recipient of the 2010 National League Cy Young Award, becoming the first Phillie to win the award since Steve Bedrosian in 1987 and only the fifth pitcher in MLB history to win the award in both leagues, joining Gaylord Perry, Pedro Martínez, Randy Johnson and Roger Clemens. He was likewise selected as the Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year, the USA Today NL Cy Young, and the Baseball Prospectus Internet Baseball Awards NL Cy Young.[24] He also was named the MLB "This Year in Baseball Awards" Starting Pitcher of the Year.[25] Baseball America named him its Major League Player of the Year (including all positions in both leagues).[26] MLB named him its "MLB Clutch Performer of the Year".[27] He was given the Heart & Hustle Award by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. He was also named Pro Athlete of the Year by both the Sporting News[28] and the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association[29][30][31][32] and Sportsperson of the Year by the Philadelphia Daily News. The Philadelphia chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America presented him the "Steve Carlton Most Valuable Pitcher" and "Dallas Green Special Achievement" awards. In 250 2⁄3 innings pitched, Halladay finished the 2010 regular season with a 21–10 record and a 2.44 ERA, setting a career high with 219 strikeouts while issuing just 30 walks. He led the National league in wins, innings pitched, with 9 complete games including 4 shutouts. He became just the seventh pitcher in the history of Major League baseball to pitch 250 or more innings with 30 or fewer walks, the first pitcher to do so since Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1923 with the Chicago Cubs Postseason no-hitter Roy Halladay and Don Larsen, the only two pitchers to throw postseason no-hitters in MLB history.On October 6, 2010, in his first postseason appearance, Halladay pitched a no-hitter (his second of the season), against the Cincinnati Reds in the first game of the National League Division Series. He became the second player ever to pitch a no-hitter in the postseason, joining Don Larsen of the 1956 New York Yankees, who pitched a perfect game in the World Series. He also became the first pitcher since Nolan Ryan in 1973 to throw two no-hitters in a season, as well as the seventh pitcher to hurl both a perfect game and a regular no-hitter in his career, joining Cy Young, Addie Joss, Jim Bunning, Sandy Koufax, Randy Johnson and Mark Buehrle. Halladay allowed just one walk to right fielder Jay Bruce with two outs in the fifth inning, and faced just one batter above the minimum 27.[37] This also marked the first time in Major League history that a pitcher threw a perfect game and a no-hitter in the same season. [edit] 2011On April 24, 2011, Halladay struck out 14 and allowed just 5 hits in the game as his team swept the San Diego Padres in all four games. Halladay took a two-hitter into the ninth before allowing three straight singles. He allowed just one run and won, 3–1.[38] In May, Halladay was named the 2011 winner of the John Wanamaker Athletic Award,[39] by the Philadelphia Sports Congress, based on his 2010 season.[40][41][42][43][44][45] [edit] Approach to pitching Halladay in 2009, showing his characteristic sinker gripHalladay's uniqueness is characterized by his ability to throw the hard two-seam sinking fastball ranging in the low 90s with pinpoint control. In addition, he throws a four-seam fastball in the low 90s, a curveball in the high 70s, a cut fastball from 90–92 mph which he had modified the grip for in 2007 at the suggestion of former catcher Sal Fasano.[46] The change-up is one pitch that Halladay had problem commanding in the past, which he had used very rarely. But since joining the Phillies in 2010, Halladay started throwing a change-up pitch that is really a version of the split-finger fastball that he uses as a strikeout pitch with the help of pitching coach Rich Dubee.[47] In spite of his reputation as a ground ball pitcher who works at an efficient pace, Halladay's strikeout totals have increased steadily in recent years as a result of his fastball velocity and his willingness to use his curveball and change-up in strikeout counts. Halladay's efficiency and durability are reflected in his total innings pitched every year, also due to his ability to strike out hitters in addition to induce ground ball outs to escape jams. He usually leads the league in innings pitched and complete games, while ranking among the leaders in WHIP and ERA. Prior to and during each start, Halladay has a distinct trademark in which he goes into a complete "isolation mode", immersing himself in complete concentration and in more or less his own words: To plan every pitch he would pitch while on the mound. During this time, he does not talk to anyone except the manager or the pitching coach. He will not even reply to a "hello" or wave from a teammate or spectator, nor talk to the media until he has been relieved or he completes a game.[48] [edit] Personal lifeHalladay is married to his wife Brandy and they have two children. He and his wife Brandy were raised as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although they are now non-practicing.[48] While he was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, Halladay and his wife invited children and their families from the Hospital for Sick Children into "Doc's Box" at Rogers Centre during Blue Jays games. As part of his contract with the Blue Jays, he also donated US$100,000 each year to the Jays Care Foundation. He was the Blue Jays' nominee numerous times for the Roberto Clemente Award for his work with underprivileged children.[49] For the same reason, he was also the Blue Jays' nominee in 2008 for the Players Choice Awards Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award.[50] During the offseason, Halladay and his family live in Odessa, Florida.[15][51] Halladay was announced by 2K Sports as the cover athlete for Major League Baseball 2K11

Career statistics (through August 13, 2011) Batting average .310 Home runs 107 Runs batted in 396 Hits 653 Teams Cincinnati Reds (2007) Texas Rangers (2008–present) Career highlights and awards 2010 American League MVP 4x All-Star (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) AL Players Choice Award for Outstanding Player (2010) USA Today American League MVP (2010) 2x Silver Slugger Award winner (2008, 2010) 2008 American League RBI champion 2010 American League batting champion 2010 American League Championship Series MVP

Joshua Holt Hamilton (born May 21, 1981, in Raleigh, North Carolina) is a Major League Baseball All Star outfielder for the Texas Rangers. He was the first overall pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.[1] He was considered a blue chip prospect until injuries and a drug addiction derailed his career in 2001. Prior to the 2007 season, Hamilton was selected by the Chicago Cubs (picking for the Cincinnati Reds) in the Rule 5 Draft.[2] He made his MLB debut in 2007 with the Reds and had a successful rookie season. During the off-season he was traded to the Texas Rangers for Edinson Volquez and Daniel Ray Herrera.[3] After his torrid start to the 2008 season, Hamilton was named to the American League All Star team, and made the All-Star team the next two seasons as well. He also participated in the Home Run Derby, where he hit a record 28 home runs in the opening round and finished with 35 home runs, which was second-most all-time in derby history.[4][5] Hamilton won the AL batting title in 2010. On October 22, 2010, Hamilton was selected as MVP of the 2010 ALCS. On November 23, 2010, Hamilton was named the 2010 AL MVP, earning 22 of 28 first-place votes Early careerHamilton was the first overall selection (by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays) in the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft. Shortly after the draft, Hamilton signed with Tampa Bay, receiving a $4 million signing bonus, and joined their minor league system.[1][7] His first stop in the minors was the rookie level Princeton Devil Rays of the Appalachian League where he played 56 games. He later joined the Hudson Valley Renegades, and helped lead them to their first New York-Penn League championship. After this successful debut in professional baseball, he spent the 2000 season with the Charleston RiverDogs in the South Atlantic League.[8] At the start of his pro career, Hamilton's parents quit their jobs so they could travel with their son.[9] Prior to the 2001 season, Hamilton was involved in a car accident. His mother and father were also injured in the accident, but they recuperated from their injuries. The 2001 season also marked the beginning of his drug and alcohol use, and he made his first attempt at rehab.[9] Hamilton only played 45 games in the 2001 season, split between Charleston (A-Ball) and the Orlando Rays, a AA team in the Southern League. Hamilton began the 2002 season with the Bakersfield Blaze, batting .303 with 9 home runs and 44 RBIs in 56 games before his season came to an end due to lingering toe and neck injuries.[8] At the start of the 2003 season, Hamilton showed up late several times during spring training and was reassigned to the team's minor league camp. He left the team and resurfaced several times, but eventually took the rest of the season off for personal reasons. Hamilton was hoping to return to spring training with the Devil Rays in 2004, but he was suspended 30 days and fined for violating the drug policy put in place by MLB. Because of the length of his suspension, and the terms of the drug policy, Hamilton must have failed two or more drug tests after being put into the program. A "failed" test is one in which there is a positive result for a drug more severe than marijuana.[10] The suspension was increased several times, after repeated violations of the terms of the program.[11] From 2004 until 2006, Hamilton did not play baseball at all. He made several attempts at rehab, and started off the 2005 season with hopes of being a star major league outfielder.[12] His return to baseball was helped along by former minor league outfielder and manager Roy Silver, who owns a baseball academy in Florida. After hearing about Hamilton's desire to return to baseball, Silver offered the use of his facility if Hamilton agreed to work there. After several months there, Hamilton attempted to play with an independent minor league team, but MLB stepped in and disallowed it. Hamilton was allowed to work out with the Devil Rays minor league players starting on June 2, 2006. By the end of the month, he was allowed to participate in minor league games.[7][11] He played 15 games with the Hudson Valley Renegades at the end of the 2006 season.[8][13] In addition to returning to baseball, Hamilton also served as a cautionary tale for his young teammates with the Renegades. Rule 5 DraftLeft off the Rays' 40-man roster, Hamilton was selected third overall [2] in the 2006 Rule 5 Draft by the Chicago Cubs, who immediately traded him to the Cincinnati Reds for $100,000 ($50,000 for his rights, and $50,000 to cover the cost of the Rule 5 selection).[13][14] In their coverage of the draft, Chris Kline and John Manuel of Baseball America called Hamilton "the biggest name in the Rule 5 in many years." [15] Cincinnati Reds (2007) Hamilton with the Reds in 2007.In order to retain the rights to Hamilton, the Reds had to keep him on their Major League 25-man roster for the entire 2007 season. He was one of the Reds' best hitters in spring training, leaving camp with a .403 batting average. The Reds planned to use him as a fourth outfielder.[16] Hamilton started most of the time in center field after an injury to Ryan Freel. Hamilton made his long-awaited Major League debut on April 2 against the Chicago Cubs in a pinch-hit appearance, receiving a 22-second standing ovation. After he lined out, Hamilton stayed in the game to play left field.[17] As he was waiting to bat, Cubs catcher Michael Barrett said "'You deserve it, Josh. Take it all in, brother. I'm happy for you."[1][18] He made his first start on April 10 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, batting lead off. In that game, he recorded his first Major League hit, a home run off Edgar Gonzalez. The next night, he hit another. Hamilton was named the National League Rookie of the Month for April. On May 22, the Reds placed Hamilton on the 15-day disabled list with gastroenteritis; they activated him on June 5 after he batted .333 (8-for-24) with four home runs and six RBI in a six-game Minor League rehabilitation assignment.[19] Hamilton went back on the DL on July 12 with a sprained wrist.[20] He was shut out in the voting for the Rookie of the Year, which was won by Ryan Braun.[21] Texas Rangers (2008–present)On December 21, 2007, the Reds traded Hamilton to the Texas Rangers for Edinson Volquez and Danny Herrera.[3][22] 2008 Hamilton swinging his batIn 2008, Hamilton locked up the Rangers starting center fielder job with a stellar spring training.[23] His spring training performance continued into the regular season. Hamilton, usually slotted fourth in the Texas batting order, led all major league players in RBIs for the month of April. He was named American League (AL) Player of the Month after hitting .330 with 32 RBIs during the month. Hamilton then went on to win player of the month for the second straight month in May, becoming the first AL player in baseball history to be awarded Player of the Month for the first two months of the season.[24] Hamilton was featured on the cover of the June 2, 2008 issue of Sports Illustrated, in a story chronicling his comeback.[1] On July 9, 2008, Hamilton hit the first walk-off home run of his career, against Francisco Rodríguez.[25][26] Fans selected Hamilton as one of the starting outfielders for the AL at the MLB All Star Game at Yankee Stadium. He finished first in voting among outfielders.[27] He was one of seven first-time starters in the game. Along with Kosuke Fukudome, Geovany Soto, and Ryan Braun, he was one of four who had made their MLB debut in 2007 or 2008.[28] He was selected to participate in the 2008 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby the evening before the game. Hamilton selected 71-year-old Clay Council to throw to him during the Derby. Council [29] was a volunteer who threw batting practice for him as a child in Raleigh, North Carolina.[30] In the first round of the event Hamilton hit 28 home runs, breaking the single-round record of 24 set by Bobby Abreu in 2005.[31][5] Hamilton ended up hitting the most total home runs in the contest with 35, but lost in the final round to Justin Morneau, as the scores were reset.[32] His record-setting first round included 13 straight home runs at one point, and 3 that went further than 500 feet (150 m). His longest home run was 518 feet.[5][32] In 2006, when Hamilton was trying to get back into baseball, he had a dream in which he participated in a Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium, but he could not remember how many home runs he had hit. After the Derby, Hamilton said: "This was like living the dream out, because like I've said, I didn't know the ending to that dream."[33] On August 17, he was intentionally walked with the bases loaded against the Rays in the bottom of the ninth, with the Rays leading 7–3, to bring Marlon Byrd to the plate. The Rays went on to win the game 7–4. Hamilton thus became the sixth player in history to receive an intentional walk with the bases loaded. Joe Maddon said after the game, "We didn't want Hamilton to hit a home run. He's got 28, and Marlon Byrd's got 8." Hamilton finished seventh in the balloting for AL MVP, behind Dustin Pedroia, Justin Morneau, Kevin Youkilis, Joe Mauer, Carlos Quentin, and Francisco Rodríguez.[34] 2009"Josh Hamilton is the best baseball player to ever walk the planet."[35] — Ian Kinsler, Rangers second basemanIn spring training, Hamilton led all players in RBIs, with 27, and total bases, with 59, in 81 at bats. He hit a 460 ft (140 m) home run into the right field home run porch off Angels reliever Shane Loux in the bottom of the eighth inning on May 15 in Arlington. Then, in the same series against the Angels, on May 17 Hamilton leaped at the wall in center field and slammed into it, robbing Howie Kendrick of a possible home run.[36] Hamilton spent a portion of 2009 on the disabled list, with a bruised rib cage and an abdominal strain. After visiting doctors in Philadelphia on June 8, 2009, they found a slight abdominal tear, and he underwent a successful surgical operation to repair it the next day. He was expected to be out 4–6 weeks. Though injured, he was selected by fan voting to play in the 2009 All-Star game,[37][38] where he was joined by teammates Michael Young and Nelson Cruz. Hamilton finished batting .268 with 10 home runs and 54 RBIs in 2009. 2010: An MVP Season Hamilton would finish as the AL batting champion, make his third All-Star game, and win the ALCS MVP in 2010In 2010, Hamilton was moved to left field to put young outfielder Julio Borbon in center field. As in his prior two seasons with the Rangers, Hamilton was again selected to start in the 2010 All-Star Game, as one of six members of the Rangers to represent the franchise at the All-Star Game. Hamilton entered the All-Star Break with a .346 batting average, second in the AL to Miguel Cabrera's .346 batting average. On August 27, he set a Ranger record with his 24th three-hit game of the season.[39] On September 4, Hamilton bruised his rib cage after making a leaping catch into the outfield wall. He was sidelined for almost a month and returned to play with only three games left in the regular season. He hit a home run the next day. His talent and popularity have earned him a litany of nicknames including "The Hammer"; "Hambino", referencing to the great Babe Ruth; "The Natural";[40] and "Hambone" his high school nickname tattooed on his arm. Hamilton hit for a league-leading .359 average in 2010, winning his first batting title. This was the fourth-best batting average since the end of the 2004 season. He also finished fourth in Major League Baseball in On-Base Percentage (.411), first in Slugging Percentage (.633) and On-Base Plus Slugging (1.044), and tied for tenth in home runs (32), despite missing 29 games due to an injury. He was also one of just 25 players to have 100 RBIs.[41] His performance in 2010 made him a front-runner for the AL MVP Award. Hamilton won the AL Players Choice Award for Outstanding Player in 2010.[42] On October 22, Hamilton and the Rangers won the 2010 ALCS. It was the first time in Rangers history they had gone to a World Series. To get there they had to beat the defending Champions the New York Yankees.[43] With four home runs, 7 RBIs, and the recipient of several intentional walks in the AL Championship Series win against the Yankees, he won the ALCS MVP Award.[44] On November 23, 2010 Hamilton was voted the AL MVP.[45] 2011Hamilton avoided arbitration by signing for 2 years and $24 million on February 10 with the Texas Rangers. On April 12, in Detroit, he suffered a fracture to his right humerus on a play at home plate. As of April 22 Hamilton faces 15–20 days on the DL with his injury. On May 18, 2011, he began a rehab assignment at the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders, going 2-4 with a home run. He returned to the Rangers' lineup on Monday, May 23, and went 2-4 against Chicago White Sox pitcher John Danks, hitting his first home run of the season on the second pitch he saw during his first at-bat.[46] On July 7, 2011 during a home game at Rangers Ballpark, a fan died while catching a foul ball tossed into the stands by Hamilton. The fan, Shannon Stone, leaned over the rail to catch the ball and fell 20 feet behind the scoreboard. He was transported to the hospital, but died on the way. After learning the news after the game, Hamilton was said to be distraught. It was the third incident where a fan fell out of the stands at Rangers Ballpark Personal lifeFamilyHamilton is of Scottish descent and is married to Katie (née Chadwick), the daughter of one of the men (Michael Chadwick) who helped him in his quest to get clean. They started dating in 2002 when Hamilton returned to Raleigh, and married in 2004.[48][49] Katie has a daughter, Julia, from a previous relationship, and together she and Hamilton have two daughters, Sierra and Michaela Grace.[50] Addictions and recovery Josh HamiltonHamilton's struggles with drugs and alcohol are well documented. He finally got clean after being confronted by his grandmother, Mary Holt.[51] In May 2008 Hamilton said he had not used drugs or alcohol since October 6, 2005.[1] When giving a brief summary of his recovery, Hamilton says simply: "It's a God thing."[18] He does not shy away from telling his story, speaking to community groups and fans at many functions. He frequently publicly tells stories of how Jesus brought him back from the brink and that faith is what keeps him going. Hamilton also wrote an autobiography called Beyond Belief which explains how he quit drugs and alcohol and came to the Lord.[49] His wife Katie sometimes accompanies him, offering her perspective on his struggles as well.[22] To comply with the provisions of MLB's drug policy, Hamilton provides urine samples for drug testing at least three times per week.[52] Rangers' coach Johnny Narron says of the frequent testing: "I think he looks forward to the tests. He knows he's an addict. He knows he has to be accountable. He looks at those tests as a way to reassure people around him who had faith."[49] Hamilton approaches the plate at Rangers home games to the song "Until The Whole World Hears" by Christian group Casting Crowns.[53] In late 2008 Hamilton, among other celebrities such as Brian Welch and Greg Ellis, appeared in testimonial videos called "I Am Second", in which he shares his story of recovering from drug use with the help of his faith in Jesus Christ.[54][55] A portion of his return to sobriety was shown on The Learning Channel's reality show "The Real Deal". “A Home Run for Trademark” aired March 31, 2007, and chronicled the renovation of Shoeless Joe Jackson's house during 2006. Richard C. Davis, the owner of Trademark Properties hired Hamilton as the construction foreman. Davis was negotiating the purchase of a minor league baseball team and entertaining the idea of giving him a chance to join the team.[56] When the Rangers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 of the 2010 American League Division Series, and again when they beat the New York Yankees in Game 6 of the 2010 American League Championship Series, Hamilton's teammates—mindful of his past struggles—chose to celebrate with ginger ale instead of champagne.[57] Walk Up SongsJosh Hamilton uses"Sing a Song" by Third Day, Used to do it too by LeCrae, This Life by Mercy Me,& Showstopper by Toby Mac. Night club incidentHamilton confirmed he suffered a slip in early 2009 after photos were released in August 2009. Sports blog Deadspin.com posted photos of Hamilton shirtless in a bar in Tempe, Arizona, with several women. According to reports, witnesses saw Hamilton drinking, heard him asking where he could obtain cocaine, and heard him reveal his plans to go to a strip club later that evening. The photos do not show Hamilton drinking or taking any illegal drugs.[58] Prior to Hamilton's public admission Johnny Narron, a Rangers special assignment coach and Hamilton's mentor, said he doubted the validity of the photos, telling Deadspin.com, "I'm sure, in the depths of his drug addiction, he was in a lot of bars. He was in and out of bars, crackhouses, everything. There are probably photographs of him in all kinds of places."[59] When responding, Narron had not seen the photos and was told they were taken during March 2009, not two months prior when the incident took place.[60] Although this news did not break until August 2009, Hamilton revealed that he had informed his wife, the Texas Rangers, and Major League Baseball the day after the incident occurred. Hamilton called a press conference on August 8 to discuss the photos.[61] Regarding the incident Hamilton said Obviously it was one those things that reinforce that I can't have alcohol. I got away from the one thing that kept me on the straight and narrow and that was my relationship with the Lord. That should always come first. Hopefully some good will come out of this. It just crossed my mind that night, 'Can I have a drink?' Obviously I can't and this reinforces that. Since that night, I have not had another thought like that. I know it's something I shouldn't do because it leads to other things. Hamilton also admitted he had very little memory of the night after getting drunk, and did not know about the contents of the photos. Hamilton did not see the photos after their release, but listened on the phone as his wife described them to him. After the press conference Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said "My first reaction in January was one of concern. Since then I've talked to a lot of people and they say it was significant that he came forward immediately and was honest about it." Major League Baseball tested Hamilton for illegal drugs two days after the incident and he passed that test.

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