Joey Hamilton
Encyclopedia
Johns Joseph "Joey" Hamilton (born September 9, 1970) is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
who played professionally for nine seasons, recording a 74–73 win–loss record, a 4.44 earned run average
(ERA) and 894 strikeouts. He attended Statesboro High School
in Georgia. Following high school, Hamilton attended Georgia Southern University
for three years.
He started his professional career in 1991 when he was drafted by the San Diego Padres
, and pitched for three major league teams during his career. As a rookie
with San Diego in 1994 he finished fifth in the Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award voting for the National League
. Following the 1998 season, San Diego traded Hamilton to the Toronto Blue Jays
. In 2001, after two seasons with the Blue Jays, he was released. Hamilton signed with the Cincinnati Reds
shortly afterward. Hamilton had stints in training camps and the minor leagues
with some of the Padres and Reds affiliates. In March 2005, two days after signing with the New York Mets
, the team released him.
to Jack and Janet Hamilton. He attended Statesboro High School before the Baltimore Orioles
drafted him in the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft
. Hamilton decided against signing with the Orioles, opting instead to play college baseball for Georgia Southern University
.
As a sophomore at Georgia Southern in 1990, Hamilton had a 18–4 record with a 3.07 ERA. He was one of nine finalists for the Golden Spikes Award
, and he earned Second Team All-America
n honors from The Sporting News
and Baseball America
. However, at the beginning of his junior season he went 1–3 with a 7.43 ERA after starting five games. It was soon discovered that Hamilton was suffering from an elbow injury, which forced him to have surgery in 1992.
Hamilton held the Georgia Southern baseball record for appearances, starts, complete games, innings pitched
and strikeouts until 1995. He was elected to the Georgia Southern University Athletics Department Hall of Fame in 1997.
The San Diego Padres drafted Hamilton eighth overall in the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft
, making him the highest drafted Atlantic Sun Conference
baseball player in the league's history. He eventually signed a contract with the Padres worth $415,000 after a short period in which Hamilton refused to sign a contract. He was surprised upon hearing of his selection, saying "It came as a bit of a shock because I really hadn't heard much from the Padres." According to Hamilton's mother, Hamilton only signed the deal because his father Jack was dying of cancer, and it had been his father's dream to watch his son pitch in the major leagues. Following the draft, Hamilton joined Team USA in Canada in preparation for the Olympics
.
In 1992, Padres general manager
Joe McIlvaine
stated the Padres would have never selected Hamilton if they knew his agent was Scott Boras
. McIlvaine said of the situation, "Basically, he lied to us. We had no idea. That's why half the time, you don't know who he represents. [Scott Boras is] very good at that. His clients are very good about keeping their mouths shut." McIlvaine retracted his comments about Hamilton and Boras after Boras threatened to sue McIlvaine.
. The Padres sent Hamilton to their Single-A affiliate, the Charleston Rainbows
, who were managed by future Baltimore Orioles
manager Dave Trembley
. With the Rainbows he went 2–2, with a 3.38 ERA
in seven games and 34 innings pitched. He was then called up to the High Desert Mavericks
. With High Desert, Hamilton went 4–3 with a 2.74 ERA in nine appearances. Hamilton received one more call-up, this time to Double-A. With the Wichita Wranglers
he went 3–0 with a 2.86 ERA in six starts and pitched 34 innings during his time with the team.
In 1993, Hamilton was ranked as the second best prospect in the Padres organization. He was sent to the Padres' affiliate, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
. One of Hamilton's teammates with the Quakes was 17-year-old and future All-Star
Derrek Lee
. During his time with the Quakes, he went 1–0 with a 4.09 ERA in 11 innings during two starts. The Padres then called him up to their Double-A affiliate, the Wichita Wranglers. In Wichita, Hamilton had four wins and nine losses with a 3.97 ERA in 15 starts. After a combined 39 appearances during two seasons, Hamilton was called up to Triple-A Las Vegas
. With Las Vegas he went 3–2 with a 4.40 ERA in eight starts.
He made his Major League debut on May 24, 1994
. In the game, Hamilton allowed three runs and five hits in six innings but ended up winning the game 6–3 after Phil Clark hit a three–run home run
. Overall, Hamilton went 9–6 with a 2.69 ERA in 108 innings pitched. He was fifth in the Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award voting for the National League. In 1995
, Hamilton went 6–9 with a 3.08 ERA in 30 starts and 204 innings pitched. Hamilton gave up 189 hits and 70 earned runs (89 unearned). Hamilton walked
56 batters and struck out 123. At age 25 in 1996
, Hamilton put up a career high in wins (15) and his second most innings pitched (211). Hamilton accrued a 4.17 ERA in 33 starts, along with 206 hits allowed and 98 earned runs. In his fourth year with San Diego in 1997
, Hamilton started on Opening Day for the Padres. In the game, he pitched six innings and gave up four runs on eight hits. The Padres won the game over the New York Mets 12–6. Hamilton compiled a 12–7 record with a 4.25 ERA for the season and gave up 69 walks and struck out 124. Hamilton suffered a shoulder injury that was described as an inflammation of the rotator cuff
and bursa sac. This injury forced Hamilton onto the disabled list
during the 1997 season. Hamilton called the injury "real scary", saying that he feared he may lose the ability to throw 100 miles per hour (160.9 km/h). During the 1998
off-season, San Diego acquired Kevin Brown through a trade with the Florida Marlins
, giving San Diego three pitchers who could throw at 90 miles per hour (144.8 km/h) and above, including Hamilton. With the Padres in 1998, Hamilton's last season in San Diego, he had a 13–13 record, 4.27 ERA in 34 starts and 217 innings pitched. He walked
a career-high 106 batters and struck
out 147. There was a rumored trade around the 1998 MLB trade deadline that would have sent Hamilton to the Detroit Tigers
, but it never materialized. During the 1998 World Series
, the Padres scheduled Hamilton to pitch game four but was passed over for game one starter Kevin Brown and instead entered game three to relieve starter Sterling Hitchcock
. With San Diego, Hamilton went 55 and 44 with a 3.75 ERA in 934 innings pitched.
, for Peter Tucci, Carlos Almanzar
, and Woody Williams
. Analysts believe that Toronto acquired Hamilton because of the fear that Roger Clemens
would leave through free agency
. Hamilton began the 1999
season with the Syracuse SkyChiefs
, the Triple-A affiliate of the Blue Jays. He started three games, recording one loss, no wins, and a 5.11 ERA in 12 innings pitched. The Blue Jays called him up, and Hamilton made 18 starts in 22 games pitched. Pitching in 98 innings, he went 7–8 with a 6.52 ERA.
For the second time in his career, Hamilton began the season in Syracuse and went 3–2 with a 3.66 ERA in six games and 39 innings pitched. Hamilton had a shortened 2000 season for Toronto in which he went 2–1 with a 3.55 ERA in six games.
For the first time during his tenure with Toronto, Hamilton started the season with the Blue Jays. He went 5–8 with a 5.89 ERA in 22 games and 122 innings, before being released on August 3, 2001.
Hamilton signed with the Cincinnati Reds on August 17, 2001
, and was optioned to their Triple-A team, the Louisville Bats
. He made one start in Louisville, posting a 1–0 record with a 5.40 ERA. The Reds called him up, and he made four starts and went 1–2 with a 6.23 ERA.
Despite only recording one win for the team the year before, Hamilton was named the Reds' 2002
Opening Day starter. In the game, Hamilton allowed two runs on seven hits in five innings of work. The Reds won the game over the Chicago Cubs
, 5–4. For the rest of the year, he spent time in Louisville and Cincinnati
and posted a combined 5–10 record, 3.92 ERA, and started
20 games and pitched in relief
in 22 games. According to ESPN
's Peter Gammons
, Hamilton, "looked like the '97 Hamilton" when he was making his comeback to the majors after spending time in the minors. At the conclusion of the 2002 season, he was offered arbitration by the Reds along with José Rijo
, which they both rejected in mid-December, meaning the Reds could not sign them until May 1, 2003.
on January 6, 2003
, but was released on March 26, 2003 after struggling in spring training
. Hamilton then re-signed with the Cincinnati Reds on April 11, 2003. After posting a 12.66 ERA in three starts with the Reds, he was sent down to Louisville. He made 33 appearances for the Bats with a 8–3 record and a 3.23 ERA in 86 innings. On October 15, 2003, he became a free agent.
The Padres re-signed Hamilton on December 10, 2003
, and optioned him to their Triple-A affiliate, the Portland Beavers
. Hamilton appeared in 11 games with the Beavers, posting an 0–2 record and 5.36 ERA. Hamilton was released on June 7, 2004. He was signed by the New York Mets on March 10, 2005
, to a minor league contract. He was released two days later after being arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who played professionally for nine seasons, recording a 74–73 win–loss record, a 4.44 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
(ERA) and 894 strikeouts. He attended Statesboro High School
Statesboro High School
Statesboro High School is a public high school located in the city of Statesboro in the US state of Georgia. The current principal is Dr. Martin Waters.-Athletics:...
in Georgia. Following high school, Hamilton attended Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern Eagles
The Georgia Southern Eagles are the athletic teams of Georgia Southern University. The Eagles compete in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision and are members of the NCAA Division I Southern Conference...
for three years.
He started his professional career in 1991 when he was drafted by the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, and pitched for three major league teams during his career. As a rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
with San Diego in 1994 he finished fifth in the Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award voting for the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
. Following the 1998 season, San Diego traded Hamilton to the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. In 2001, after two seasons with the Blue Jays, he was released. Hamilton signed with the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
shortly afterward. Hamilton had stints in training camps and the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
with some of the Padres and Reds affiliates. In March 2005, two days after signing with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, the team released him.
Early years and college
Hamilton was born on September 9, 1970, in Statesboro, GeorgiaStatesboro, Georgia
Statesboro is a city in southeast Georgia, United States, and is the county seat and most populous city of Bulloch County. Statesboro has a population of 28,422 and the Statesboro, GA Micropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 70,217...
to Jack and Janet Hamilton. He attended Statesboro High School before the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
drafted him in the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft
1988 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1988 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental First Round Selections:-External links:*...
. Hamilton decided against signing with the Orioles, opting instead to play college baseball for Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University is a national public university located on a campus in Statesboro, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1906, it is part of the University System of Georgia and is the largest center of higher education in the southern half of Georgia offering 117 academic majors in a comprehensive...
.
As a sophomore at Georgia Southern in 1990, Hamilton had a 18–4 record with a 3.07 ERA. He was one of nine finalists for the Golden Spikes Award
Golden Spikes Award
The Golden Spikes Award is awarded annually to the best amateur baseball player. It is awarded by USA Baseball and sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Association. Though the award can be presented to any amateur player, it has always been given to a college baseball player.-Past...
, and he earned Second Team All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n honors from The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
and Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
. However, at the beginning of his junior season he went 1–3 with a 7.43 ERA after starting five games. It was soon discovered that Hamilton was suffering from an elbow injury, which forced him to have surgery in 1992.
Hamilton held the Georgia Southern baseball record for appearances, starts, complete games, innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
and strikeouts until 1995. He was elected to the Georgia Southern University Athletics Department Hall of Fame in 1997.
The San Diego Padres drafted Hamilton eighth overall in the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft
1991 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1991 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Other notable players:...
, making him the highest drafted Atlantic Sun Conference
Atlantic Sun Conference
The Atlantic Sun Conference is a college athletic conference operating in the Southeastern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I; it does not sponsor football. The conference was established in 1978 as the Trans America Athletic Conference...
baseball player in the league's history. He eventually signed a contract with the Padres worth $415,000 after a short period in which Hamilton refused to sign a contract. He was surprised upon hearing of his selection, saying "It came as a bit of a shock because I really hadn't heard much from the Padres." According to Hamilton's mother, Hamilton only signed the deal because his father Jack was dying of cancer, and it had been his father's dream to watch his son pitch in the major leagues. Following the draft, Hamilton joined Team USA in Canada in preparation for the Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
.
In 1992, Padres general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
Joe McIlvaine
Joe McIlvaine
Joseph McIlvaine is a baseball executive and former professional baseball player.McIlvaine played in the Detroit Tigers minor league system for 5 seasons. He posted a win-loss record of 16-16 and an ERA of 3.84. During the 1970s, he was a scout in the Baltimore Orioles, California Angels and...
stated the Padres would have never selected Hamilton if they knew his agent was Scott Boras
Scott Boras
Scott Boras is an American sports agent, specializing in baseball. He is the founder, owner and president of the Boras Corporation, a sports agency based in Newport Beach, Calif. that represents roughly 175 professional baseball clients, including many of the game's highest-profile players...
. McIlvaine said of the situation, "Basically, he lied to us. We had no idea. That's why half the time, you don't know who he represents. [Scott Boras is] very good at that. His clients are very good about keeping their mouths shut." McIlvaine retracted his comments about Hamilton and Boras after Boras threatened to sue McIlvaine.
San Diego Padres
In 1992, Baseball America ranked him as the top prospect in the San Diego Padres organization and the 36th in Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. The Padres sent Hamilton to their Single-A affiliate, the Charleston Rainbows
Charleston RiverDogs
The Charleston RiverDogs are a Minor League Baseball team based in Charleston, South Carolina. They play in the class A South Atlantic League and are an affiliate of the New York Yankees. Their home stadium is at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park...
, who were managed by future Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
manager Dave Trembley
Dave Trembley
David Michael Trembley is a former manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Before managing the Orioles Trembley was a minor league manager for twenty seasons compiling a 1369–1413 record. He won two league titles and earned Manager of the Year awards in three leagues...
. With the Rainbows he went 2–2, with a 3.38 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in seven games and 34 innings pitched. He was then called up to the High Desert Mavericks
High Desert Mavericks
The High Desert Mavericks are a minor league baseball team in Adelanto, California, USA. Their Major League parent club is the Seattle Mariners. They are a Class A - Advanced team in the California League and had been a farm team of the Kansas City Royals since 2005 before the switch...
. With High Desert, Hamilton went 4–3 with a 2.74 ERA in nine appearances. Hamilton received one more call-up, this time to Double-A. With the Wichita Wranglers
Wichita Wranglers
The Wichita Wranglers were a minor league baseball team based in Wichita, Kansas. The team, which played in the Texas League, was the Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major-league club from 1995 to 2007, and of the San Diego Padres from 1987 to 1994. The Wranglers played in...
he went 3–0 with a 2.86 ERA in six starts and pitched 34 innings during his time with the team.
In 1993, Hamilton was ranked as the second best prospect in the Padres organization. He was sent to the Padres' affiliate, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
. One of Hamilton's teammates with the Quakes was 17-year-old and future All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
Derrek Lee
Derrek Lee
Derrek Leon Lee , or "D-Lee", is a Major League Baseball first baseman. Lee has played with the San Diego Padres , the Florida Marlins , Chicago Cubs , Atlanta Braves , Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates . He bats and throws right-handed.Lee was a World Series Champion with Florida in 2003,...
. During his time with the Quakes, he went 1–0 with a 4.09 ERA in 11 innings during two starts. The Padres then called him up to their Double-A affiliate, the Wichita Wranglers. In Wichita, Hamilton had four wins and nine losses with a 3.97 ERA in 15 starts. After a combined 39 appearances during two seasons, Hamilton was called up to Triple-A Las Vegas
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
. With Las Vegas he went 3–2 with a 4.40 ERA in eight starts.
He made his Major League debut on May 24, 1994
1994 San Diego Padres season
The 1994 San Diego Padres season was the 26th season in franchise history.-Offseason:* November 18, 1993: Jarvis Brown was selected off waivers from the Padres by the Atlanta Braves....
. In the game, Hamilton allowed three runs and five hits in six innings but ended up winning the game 6–3 after Phil Clark hit a three–run home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
. Overall, Hamilton went 9–6 with a 2.69 ERA in 108 innings pitched. He was fifth in the Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award voting for the National League. In 1995
1995 San Diego Padres season
-Offseason:* November 3, 1994: Rico Rossy was signed as a free agent by the Padres.* November 28, 1994: Wally Whitehurst was released by the Padres....
, Hamilton went 6–9 with a 3.08 ERA in 30 starts and 204 innings pitched. Hamilton gave up 189 hits and 70 earned runs (89 unearned). Hamilton walked
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
56 batters and struck out 123. At age 25 in 1996
1996 San Diego Padres season
-Offseason:* October 28, 1995: Rico Rossy was signed as a Free Agent with the San Diego Padres.* November 29, 1995: Mike Sharperson signed as a Free Agent with the San Diego Padres....
, Hamilton put up a career high in wins (15) and his second most innings pitched (211). Hamilton accrued a 4.17 ERA in 33 starts, along with 206 hits allowed and 98 earned runs. In his fourth year with San Diego in 1997
1997 San Diego Padres season
The 1997 San Diego Padres season was a season in Major League Baseball. The Padres finished last in the National League West.Right fielder Tony Gwynn had the highest batting average in the majors, at .372.-Transactions:...
, Hamilton started on Opening Day for the Padres. In the game, he pitched six innings and gave up four runs on eight hits. The Padres won the game over the New York Mets 12–6. Hamilton compiled a 12–7 record with a 4.25 ERA for the season and gave up 69 walks and struck out 124. Hamilton suffered a shoulder injury that was described as an inflammation of the rotator cuff
Rotator cuff
In anatomy, the rotator cuff is the group of muscles and their tendons that act to stabilize the shoulder. The four muscles of the rotator cuff, along with the teres major muscle, the coracobrachialis muscle and the deltoid, make up the seven scapulohumeral muscles of the human body.-Function:The...
and bursa sac. This injury forced Hamilton onto the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
during the 1997 season. Hamilton called the injury "real scary", saying that he feared he may lose the ability to throw 100 miles per hour (160.9 km/h). During the 1998
1998 San Diego Padres season
The San Diego Padres season was a Major League Baseball season. The Padres won the National League championship and advanced to the World Series for the second time in franchise history....
off-season, San Diego acquired Kevin Brown through a trade with the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, giving San Diego three pitchers who could throw at 90 miles per hour (144.8 km/h) and above, including Hamilton. With the Padres in 1998, Hamilton's last season in San Diego, he had a 13–13 record, 4.27 ERA in 34 starts and 217 innings pitched. He walked
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
a career-high 106 batters and struck
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
out 147. There was a rumored trade around the 1998 MLB trade deadline that would have sent Hamilton to the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, but it never materialized. During the 1998 World Series
1998 World Series
The 1998 World Series, the 94th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, matched the New York Yankees against the San Diego Padres . The Yankees swept the Series in four games to capture their second championship in three years, and their 24th overall...
, the Padres scheduled Hamilton to pitch game four but was passed over for game one starter Kevin Brown and instead entered game three to relieve starter Sterling Hitchcock
Sterling Hitchcock
Sterling Alex Hitchcock is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played from to , mostly with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres....
. With San Diego, Hamilton went 55 and 44 with a 3.75 ERA in 934 innings pitched.
After San Diego
After five years with San Diego, Hamilton was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on December 12, 19981998 Toronto Blue Jays season
The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing 3rd in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses, their best record since their 1993 World Series-winning season....
, for Peter Tucci, Carlos Almanzar
Carlos Almanzar
Carlos Manuel Almanzar Girón is a Major League Baseball pitcher. He has pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, and Texas Rangers...
, and Woody Williams
Woody Williams
Gregory Scott "Woody" Williams is a former right-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher. He made his major league debut for the Toronto Blue Jays on May 14, 1993.-Baseball career:...
. Analysts believe that Toronto acquired Hamilton because of the fear that Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
would leave through free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. Hamilton began the 1999
1999 Toronto Blue Jays season
The Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing third in the American League East with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses. The team set a franchise record for most runs scored in a season and hits in a season...
season with the Syracuse SkyChiefs
Syracuse SkyChiefs
The Syracuse Chiefs are a minor league baseball team based in Syracuse, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals...
, the Triple-A affiliate of the Blue Jays. He started three games, recording one loss, no wins, and a 5.11 ERA in 12 innings pitched. The Blue Jays called him up, and Hamilton made 18 starts in 22 games pitched. Pitching in 98 innings, he went 7–8 with a 6.52 ERA.
For the second time in his career, Hamilton began the season in Syracuse and went 3–2 with a 3.66 ERA in six games and 39 innings pitched. Hamilton had a shortened 2000 season for Toronto in which he went 2–1 with a 3.55 ERA in six games.
For the first time during his tenure with Toronto, Hamilton started the season with the Blue Jays. He went 5–8 with a 5.89 ERA in 22 games and 122 innings, before being released on August 3, 2001.
Hamilton signed with the Cincinnati Reds on August 17, 2001
2001 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds' 2001 season consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League Central. The Reds were managed by Bob Boone.-Offseason:...
, and was optioned to their Triple-A team, the Louisville Bats
Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
. He made one start in Louisville, posting a 1–0 record with a 5.40 ERA. The Reds called him up, and he made four starts and went 1–2 with a 6.23 ERA.
Despite only recording one win for the team the year before, Hamilton was named the Reds' 2002
2002 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds' 2002 season consisted of the Reds finishing with a 78-84 record to finish in third place in the National League Central, 19 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals. The Reds were managed by Bob Boone...
Opening Day starter. In the game, Hamilton allowed two runs on seven hits in five innings of work. The Reds won the game over the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, 5–4. For the rest of the year, he spent time in Louisville and Cincinnati
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
and posted a combined 5–10 record, 3.92 ERA, and started
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
20 games and pitched in relief
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
in 22 games. According to ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's Peter Gammons
Peter Gammons
Peter Gammons is an American sportswriter, media personality, and a recipient of the J. G. Taylor Spink Award for outstanding baseball writing, given by the BBWAA.-Education:...
, Hamilton, "looked like the '97 Hamilton" when he was making his comeback to the majors after spending time in the minors. At the conclusion of the 2002 season, he was offered arbitration by the Reds along with José Rijo
José Rijo
José Antonio Rijo Abreu is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who spent the majority of his career with the Cincinnati Reds .-Playing career:...
, which they both rejected in mid-December, meaning the Reds could not sign them until May 1, 2003.
Final years
Hamilton was signed by the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
on January 6, 2003
2003 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals 2003 season was the team's 122nd season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 112th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 85-77 during the season and finished 3rd in the National League Central division...
, but was released on March 26, 2003 after struggling in spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. Hamilton then re-signed with the Cincinnati Reds on April 11, 2003. After posting a 12.66 ERA in three starts with the Reds, he was sent down to Louisville. He made 33 appearances for the Bats with a 8–3 record and a 3.23 ERA in 86 innings. On October 15, 2003, he became a free agent.
The Padres re-signed Hamilton on December 10, 2003
2004 San Diego Padres season
The 2004 San Diego Padres season saw the club finish with a record of 87-75, the fifth most wins in franchise history. With the 87 wins, the Padres improved their won-loss record by 23 games over the 2003 season , the single largest improvement from one full season to the next in team history...
, and optioned him to their Triple-A affiliate, the Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
. Hamilton appeared in 11 games with the Beavers, posting an 0–2 record and 5.36 ERA. Hamilton was released on June 7, 2004. He was signed by the New York Mets on March 10, 2005
2005 New York Mets season
The New York Mets' 2005 season was the 44th regular season for the Mets. They went 83-79 and finished 3rd in the NL East. They were managed by Willie Randolph. They played home games at Shea Stadium. The 2005 season is also noteworthy for being Mike Piazza's last season as a New York Met...
, to a minor league contract. He was released two days later after being arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence
Driving under the influence
Driving under the influence is the act of driving a motor vehicle with blood levels of alcohol in excess of a legal limit...
.