Firmly planted, Hamilton is making many believe

One of Josh Hamilton's first swings in Minnesota sent a batting-practice pitch bouncing off the tarp high above the right-field wall on Monday. His last swing here this week, a belated wrist flick at a pitch on the outside corner, produced an improbable homer to left field, giving the Texas Rangers an 8-7, 10-inning victory over the Twins and one more "Josh Story" to tell.

"That pitch?" Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "Opposite field? Please."

After going 3-for-5 with the game-winning homer Thursday, Hamilton has transitioned from Crown Royal, once his drink of choice, to Triple Crown. He leads the American League with a .335 average, 12 homers and 53 RBI, plays center field with speed and daring, throws like a former pitcher and preaches with the zeal of the converted.

With apologies to Alex Rodriguez, Hamilton might be the most talented player in baseball. After years of drug addictions and suspensions, one team ditching him and another trading him, Hamilton is finally making good on his legendary talent.

"I was with him last year in Cincinnati, too," Rangers reliever and former Twin Eddie Guardado said. "Good kid. Good-hearted kid. The things he's been through in his life, it's amazing where he is now.

"I've seen it firsthand with my brother. To do what he's doing now, and taking it day by day, it's impressive."

Guardado's brother, Victor, got addicted to heroin and died. "There are very few guys I really like to watch play, and he's a guy I like to watch play," Guardado said. "He's got sick power to all fields. Every year you hear people say, 'Yeah, we drafted this kid, he's a five-tool player,' and you never see it. This guy is a true five-tool guy. And you know me, I look at the person, and I have enjoyed having him for a teammate the last two years."

Growing up in North Carolina, Hamilton was Joe Mauer with power. He was the state's top prep athlete and a straight-arrow personality. He threw a fastball 96 miles per hour, played shortstop and was selected with the first pick in the 1999 draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays -- the first high schooler to be chosen first since Rodriguez in 1993.

In 2001, his parents were injured in a car accident and returned to North Carolina. Hamilton, who injured his back in the accident, found himself untethered to family and unable to play for the first time in his life. He began frequenting a tattoo parlor, where he painted his skin and tainted his body.

He served a year-long suspension for failing Major League Baseball's drug tests, was left unprotected by the Rays, picked up in the Rule V draft by Cincinnati, and traded to the Rangers this winter for star pitching prospect Edinson Volquez.

Hamilton speaks frequently to church and youth organizations about overcoming his addictions, speaks often of his renewed faith, and has become the key player on a Rangers team that hasn't lost a series since April.

After returning to the clubhouse Thursday afternoon, Milton Bradley -- another player with a troubled past -- wrapped Hamilton in a bear hug.

"It's a great feeling," Hamilton said. "Since I came to Texas, I really appreciate that I've been well-received. The big press conference I did at spring training, it was the first time I ever had players show up and listen. That let me know what kind of character my teammates had."

Johnny Narron, brother of former Rangers and Reds manager Jerry Narron, coached Hamilton as a teenager. The Reds hired Johnny to work with and counsel Hamilton last year, and now Johnny is the Rangers' special assignment coach.

"Knowing Josh like I've known him, for so long, I'm not surprised by this," Narron said Thursday. "I watched him come out of high school. He was the most talented player in the draft in '99, and the way he came back into the game after being away for four years, with his plate discipline, his tools came back right away."

Narron shook his head. "It's amazing," he said. "I knew that Josh possessed this kind of talent at one point. The fact that it was still there is a blessing. But it's still there, as you can see."

Jim Souhan can be heard Sundays from 10 a.m.-noon on AM-1500 KSTP. jsouhan@startribune.com