Former top pick finally gets to play

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Former top pick finally gets to play
07/04/2006 11:37 PM ET
By Marissa Rega / Special to MLB.com

Former No. 1 overall pick Josh Hamilton went 1-for-3 on Tuesday in his first game in almost four years following a suspension for violating Major League Baseball's substance abuse policy.
The top selection by the Devil Rays in the 1999 draft was suspended July 10, 2002. He was placed on the restricted list in February 2004 and reinstated to Tampa Bay's 40-man roster in November 2005.
After allowing the 25-year-old outfielder to take Extended Spring Training at the beginning of June, Major League Baseball permitted Hamilton to play in the Minors for the rest of the season.
Hamilton cried during the national anthem, then received a standing ovation from the fans during his first at-bat before his Hudson Valley Renegades fell to the Brooklyn Cyclones, 7-2.
"It was joy," he said of stepping into the batter's box. "I couldn't really put into words how I felt at the moment. I just never thought I could get back here."
The designated hitter flew out to left field in the first inning, but hit a leadoff double -- one of Hudson Valley's three hits -- in the fourth and scored on Matthew Fields' single. He grounded out in the sixth and was replaced by pinch hitter David Kennedy in the ninth.
"Seemed like it was never going to happen, but it's good to be on the field." Hamilton said. "It's good to be around the guys again.
"It's amazing how people give people second chances. People want to see you do good, but there's no way I should be in the shape I'm in right now."
The game proved emotional for Hamilton's wife, Katie, as well.
"She's never seen me throw, never seen me run," he explained. "She cried a bunch. She saw me in my uniform for the first time before the game and just started bawling. It feels good to have her here."
Jonathan Sanchez went 3-for-4 with two triples, three runs scored and an RBI for the Cyclones, who swept the three-game series. Timothy Grogan collected three hits, including a two-run double in the sixth, and Elvis Cruz, Jacob Eigsti and Jonathan Malo drove in a run apiece.
Brooklyn starter Tobi Stoner (1-1) earned the win after yielding two runs on two hits and striking out five without a walk over six innings.
Hudson Valley reliever Joshua Butler (0-3) surrendered five runs on five hits and walked two over 2 2/3 frames for the loss.
Fields scored twice and Brandon Rousseve gathered the Renegades' final hit with a leadoff single in the ninth.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.