Joey Hamilton was a professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for nine seasons. He was born on September 9, 1970, in Statesboro, Georgia, and attended Statesboro High School. Hamilton was a standout athlete in high school, excelling in both baseball and football. He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 1988 MLB draft but chose to attend Georgia Southern University instead.
Hamilton played college baseball for Georgia Southern University from 1989 to 1991. He was a dominant pitcher for the Eagles, earning All-American honors in 1991. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the first round of the 1991 MLB draft and made his MLB debut in 1994.
Hamilton spent the majority of his career with the Padres, playing for them from 1994 to 1999. He was a key member of the Padres' pitching staff during their run to the World Series in 1998. Hamilton had a career-best season in 1995, finishing with a 13-13 record and a 3.08 ERA. He was named to the National League All-Star team in 1995 and 1997.
After leaving the Padres, Hamilton played for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2000 and the New York Mets in 2001. He struggled with injuries during his time with these teams and was unable to replicate the success he had with the Padres. Hamilton retired from baseball after the 2003 season.
Throughout his career, Hamilton was known for his fastball and slider. He was a hard-throwing pitcher who could strike out batters with ease. He finished his career with a 74-73 record and a 4.44 ERA.
After retiring from baseball, Hamilton returned to Georgia and became a high school baseball coach. He also worked as a color commentator for the Savannah Sand Gnats, a minor league baseball team.
In conclusion, Joey Hamilton was a talented pitcher who had a successful career in MLB. He was a key member of the Padres' pitching staff during their run to the World Series in 1998 and was named to the National League All-Star team twice. Although injuries hampered his career after leaving the Padres, Hamilton remains a beloved figure in San Diego and is remembered as one of the team's best pitchers of the 1990s.
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