The wonderful story of Josh Hamilton comes in two parts; the phenomenal slugger who amazes on the field and has struggled off of it, and the woman who has been by his side through it all.
The Rangers slugger is Roy Hobbs in a Rangers uniform, The Natural for this generation, and his story never ceases to amaze.
The 2012 season was another great year for Hamilton, who is batting .286 with 43 home runs, bringing to close another chapter in the career of one of the best players in the majors right now.
The woman he has called wife since 2004 is Katie Chadwick, someone who has been around for the best and worst times of Hamilton’s life.
A 2008 MLB report sheds more light on a relationship that has withstood some amazing obstacles.
Josh and Katie’s relationship began innocently enough. Katie was already caring for her 17-month-old daughter, Julia, when Josh returned to Raleigh, N.C., in 2002 and requested through a friend to see her. The two attended the same high school growing up, but were never close — not until Katie accepted his request in 2002.
Hamilton was getting over a 2001 car accident that ended up delivering more than pain, giving the slugger an addiction to drugs and alcohol.
They survived a rough time during 2004 and 2005 when Hamilton suffered relapses of his addiction. More recently, in 2009, Hamilton was seen partying it up at a Tempe, Arizona nightclub, via Deadspin.
Through it all, Hamilton and his wife have relied on religion and the support from family to hold the marriage together.
For their hard work, they have been rewarded with three daughters and Katie’s daughter Julia Shea from a previous relationship.
Hamilton and his wife are proof that life may be one trying experience after another, but you can reap great rewards if you continue fighting.
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