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Joey Hamilton

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Joey Hamilton
Pitcher
Batted: Both
Threw: Right
debut
May 24, 1994, for the San Diego Padres
Last appearance
June 6, 2003, for the Cincinnati Reds
Career statistics
Pitching record74-73
Earned run average4.44
Strikeouts894
Teams

Johns Joseph "Joey" Hamilton (born September 9, 1970 in Statesboro, Georgia) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.

After being drafted by the San Diego Padres in 1991, he pitched for three major league teams in nine years of professional baseball. As a rookie with the San Diego in 1994 he was fifth in the Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award voting for the National League. He was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in December 1998 and spent two full seasons with Toronto. After being released by Toronto in August 2001, he signed with the Cincinnati Reds a few weeks later. Hamilton spent parts of three seasons with Cincinnati before transferring around training camps and the minor leagues with four teams including the Padres and Reds.

College career and draft

Hamilton attended Statesboro High School in Statesboro, Georgia.[1] He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft but did not sign,[2] opting instead to play college baseball for the Georgia Southern University.

As a sophomore at Georgia Southern in 1990, Hamilton had a 18-4 record with a 3.07 earned run average (ERA).[3] He was one of nine finalists for the Golden Spikes Award after the season ended, and earned Second Team All-American honors from Sporting News and Baseball America.[4] However, at the beginning of his junior season he went 1-3 with a 7.43 ERA after five starts.[3] It was soon discovered that Hamilton was suffering from an elbow injury,[3] which forced him to visit Dr. James Andrews in 1992 while he was with the San Diego Padres.[3]

In 1991, he was drafted in the first round with the eighth overall pick by the San Diego Padres for US$415,000 after a slight holdout.[2][5][6] According to Hamilton's mother, Janet, 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.[7] After the draft, he joined Team USA in Canada; during that time, unknown to Hamilton, his father was having half of his stomach and esophagus removed.[3]

Hamilton held the Georgia Southern baseball record for appearances, starts, complete games, innings pitched and strikeouts until 1995.[4] He was elected to the Georgia Southern University sports hall of fame in 1997.[8]

Professional career

1992–1998

In 1992, he was ranked as the top prospect by Baseball America in the San Diego Padres organization and 36th in Major League Baseball.[1] The Padres sent Hamilton to their Single-A affiliate the Charleston Rainbows, who were managed by future Baltimore Orioles manager Dave Trembley.[9] With the Rainbows he went 2-2, with a 3.38 ERA in seven games and 34.2 innings pitched.[1] He was then called up to the High Desert Mavericks. In High Desert, he compiled a 4-3 record, 2.74 ERA in nine appearances, eight of which were starts.[1] Hamilton received one more call-up this time to Double-A. The Wichita Wranglers were coached by future San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy.[10] With the Wranglers he went 3-0, had a 2.86 ERA in six starts and 34.2 innings of work.[1]

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 then 17-year-old Derrek Lee.[11] With the Quakes he went 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA in two starts and 11 innings pitched.[1] He was then called up for the second straight season to the Wichita Wranglers. In Wichita he went 4-9 with a 3.97 ERA in 15 starts.[1] After a combined 39 appearances over two seasons, Hamilton was called up to Triple-A Las Vegas. With the 51s he went 3-2 and had a 4.40 ERA in eight starts.[1]

He made his Major League debut on May 24, 1994. As a Padre he went 55 and 44 with a 3.75 ERA in 932.8 innings pitched. He placed fifth in the Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award voting in the National League. In 1995, Hamilton recorded a 6-9 record with a 3.08 ERA in 30 starts and 204.1 innings pitched.[2] He gave up 189 hits, 89 runs (70 earned), and walked 56 while striking out 123.[2] At the age of 25 in 1996, Hamilton put up a career high in wins (15) and his second most innings pitched (211.2).[2] He also had a 4.17 ERA in 33 starts giving up 206 hits and 98 earned runs.[2] In his fourth year with San Diego in 1997, Hamilton was the Padres opening day starter. He went 12-7 with a 4.25 ERA for the season and added 69 walks and 124 strikeouts to his 1997 totals.[2] He was forced onto the 15 day disabled list due to a shoulder injury which was later described as inflammation of the bursa sac and rotator cuff.[12] Hamilton called the injury "real scary", and that he thought about possibly losing his ability to throw a baseball 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).[12] 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 (140 km/h) and above, including Hamilton.[13] With the Padres in 1998, which turned out to be Hamilton's last season in San Diego, he had a 13-13 record, 4.27 ERA in 34 starts and 217.1 innings pitched.[2][14] He walked a career high 106 batters and struck out 147.[2] There was a rumored trade around the 1998 MLB trade deadline that would send Hamilton to the Detroit Tigers but the trade never materialized.[15]

1999–2003

After five years with San Diego, Hamilton was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on December 12, 1998 for Peter Tucci, Carlos Almanzar, and Woody Williams.[16][2] Many people believe that Toronto acquired Hamilton because of the fear that Roger Clemens would leave through free agency.[17] Hamilton began the season with the Syracuse SkyChiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Blue Jays, and made three starts; he went 0-1 with a 5.11 ERA in 12.1 innings pitched. He was then called up to the Blue Jays where he made 18 starts in 22 games pitched. Pitching in 98 innings, he went 7-8 with a 6.52 ERA.[18]

Once again in 2000, Hamilton began the season in Syracuse and went 3-2 with a 3.66 ERA in six games and 39.1 innings pitched. Hamilton had a shortened 2000 season for Toronto when he went 2-1 with a 3.55 ERA in six games.[19]

For the first time in 2001 during his stint in Toronto, Hamilton started the season with the Blue Jays. He went 5-8 with a 5.89 ERA in 22 games and 122.1 innings, before being released on August 3, 2001.[20]

Hamilton signed with the Cincinnati Reds on August 17, 2001[21][2] and was optioned to their Triple-A team the Louisville Bats. He made one start in Louisville posting a 1-0 record and 5.40 ERA. The Reds called him up and he made four starts and went 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA.

In 2002, he spent time in Louisville and Cincinnati and posted a combined 5-10 record, 3.92 ERA, a started 20 games and came in relief in 22 games.[22] 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.[23] He was granted free agency on October 30, 2002.[2]

2003–2005

Hamilton was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals on January 6, 2003[24] but was released on March 26, 2003 after struggling in spring training.[2]

After being released by St. Louis, Hamilton re-signed with the Cincinnati Reds on April 11, 2003.[25] After getting rocked in three starts posting a 12.66 ERA with the Reds he was sent down to Louisville. He made 33 appearances for the Bats with a 8-3 record, 3.23 ERA in 86.1 innings. On October 15, 2003, he became a free agent.[2]

The Padres re-signed Hamilton on December 10, 2003[2] and optioned him to their Triple-A affiliate the Portland Beavers.[26] Hamilton appeared in 11 games with the Beavers posting a 0-2 record and 5.36 ERA. Hamilton was released on June 7, 2004.[27][2]

He was signed by the New York Mets on March 10, 2005 to a minor league contract.[28] He was released two days later after being arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence.[28][29]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Joey Hamilton". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Joey Hamilton Statistics". Sports Reference, LLC (Baseball-Reference.com). Retrieved 2009-05-01.
  3. ^ a b c d e Nightengale, Bob (March 7, 1992). "Minor Role for Padres' Major Player Hamilton's Elbow Problems, Slow Progress Are Concerns". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  4. ^ a b "Georgia Southern Eagles bio". Georgia Southern University. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  5. ^ "Hamilton to sign for $415,000". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. September 21, 1991. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
  6. ^ "Green Still Hasn't Signed With Blue Jays Baseball: Former Tustin High outfielder plans to honor his commitment to Stanford, unless Toronto increases its offer". Los Angeles Times. 1991. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  7. ^ Nightengale, Bob (September 21, 1991). "His Father's Illness Figured in Hamilton's Decision to Sign". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  8. ^ "Georgia Southern Athletics Department Hall of Fame". Georgia Southern University. July 3, 2008. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  9. ^ "1992 Charleston (Sc) Rainbows Pitching Stats". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
  10. ^ "1992 Wichita Wranglers pitching stats". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
  11. ^ "1993 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes pitching stats". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
  12. ^ a b Bernardino, Mike (June 6, 1997). "Shoulder scare helps ex-Eagle reform his ways". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  13. ^ Newhan, Ross (March 12, 1998). "Baseball: Addition of Kevin Brown and pitching coach Dave Stewart brings new attitude to the San Diego staff". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  14. ^ Reid, Jason (September 23, 1998). "Park Is Finishing the Season in High Gear; Baseball: Dodger pitcher goes eight strong innings in 3-2 victory over Padres to improve to 14-9". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  15. ^ "Which clubs will walk the trade talk?". CNN Sports Illustrated. July 18, 1998. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  16. ^ "Transactions from December 12, 1998". The Baseball Cube. December 14, 1998. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
  17. ^ Newhan, Ross (December 14, 1998). "Clemens' Demands Anger the Astros; Baseball: Angels also drop out of bidding for five-time Cy Young Award winner. Mets sign Rickey Henderson". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-06-19. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "Hamilton Shuts Down Yankees". CBS News. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  19. ^ "Spring Training Report". Hartford Courant. March 17, 2000. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  20. ^ "Blue Jays release Hamilton". CBC Sports. August 4, 2001. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  21. ^ "Reds re-sign Hamilton, Rijo". CBC News. January 8, 2002. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  22. ^ "Joey Hamilton pulls hamstring". CBC News. May 7, 2002. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  23. ^ Gammons, Peter (May 18, 2002). "Future looking bright for Reds". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  24. ^ Leach, Matthew (January 6, 2003). "Cardinals sign Levine and Hamilton". MLB.com. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  25. ^ "Reds ink Joey Hamilton". UPI. April 11, 2003. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  26. ^ "Beavers release 2004 roster". Our Sports Central. April 6, 2004. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  27. ^ "Joey Hamilton released, Osborne signed". Scout.com. June 6, 2004. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  28. ^ a b "Joey Hamilton player news". KFFL.com. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  29. ^ Hoch, Bryan (March 12, 2005). "Mets cut veteran Hamilton after DUI". Scout.com. Retrieved 2009-04-21.

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