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September 5, 2008 10:43:21 PM CDT

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Hamilton Beats Drugs, Odds in Comeback

Posted May 29, 08 10:15 AM CDT in Sports 

(Newser) – Josh Hamilton can appreciate the high he's riding now, because his personal lows have been pretty rough. The first pick of baseball's 1999 draft was booted in 2004 for failing drug tests after picking up a cocaine habit. But now the Rangers outfielder has traded a bottle of Crown Royal a day for a swing at the triple crown, Sports Illustrated reports.

Staying sober takes dedication for Hamilton, who submits to a drug test every three days, and stays under the watchful eye of mentor Johnny Narron. Even after he went 5-for-5 with six RBI and two home runs this month, Hamilton passed up the chance to eat out with the team. "He knows the devil isn't far away," says his father-in-law.

Source Sports Illustrated

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Texas Rangers' Josh Hamilton hits a grand slam in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, May 27, 2008, in St. Petersburg, Fla.   (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Texas Rangers Josh Hamilton, right, imposes strict rules on himself: he never goes out to eat with teammates, and never goes out alone at night.   (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)
Texas Rangers' Josh Hamilton, right, who has been the savior of many a game this season, spent 2003-2005 banished from baseball for his drug problems.   (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Texas Rangers' Josh Hamilton, right, doubles against the Oakland Athletics in the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game in Phoenix, Ariz., Sunday, March 16, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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MLB  • baseball  • cocaine  • Texas Rangers  • Josh Hamilton  • baseball's triple crown


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