Don’t Call it a Comeback…

Jason Budden: Un-Common Sense?

Josh Hamilton has been here for years. Well, it depends on how you define the word, “here.” Josh Hamilton’s talent has been “here” for years. The rest of him took quite a long and rocky journey to finally make it to the big leagues.

At this point, you’ve probably heard some of Hamilton’s story, but here a short recap: Hamilton went from one of the most hyped high school prospects in the nation*…to #1 overall pick by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 1999 MLB Amateur Draft…to cocaine and heroin addict…to baseball drop-out…to recovering addict…to working the wood chipper for his brother’s tree service business…to Rule 5 Draft pick by the Cincinnati Reds…to MLB outfielder…to MLB All-Star with the Texas Rangers…to the hero of the 2008 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby.

Not such a short story? How can it be with so many twists and turns? Talk about ups and downs, and once again, that is the short story. Back in 2007, ESPN the Magazine ran an amazing article on Josh, after he made his triumphant return to baseball. He has come a long way, and as he tells it, he is finally winning his personal “fight with the devil.”

Watching him hit 28 mammoth home runs during the first round of last night’s Home Run Derby, I was filled with a sense of joy. I have no connection to Josh, but I found myself rooting for him to succeed. Rooting for him to drill each pitch even farther than the last. I think that it was his joy and happiness that was coursing through the veins of almost every fan in Yankee Stadium last night. His humble approach to life, now that he has come back from the depths of addiction, makes it hard to root for anything but his success.

So where does this story go from here. Only time will tell. Addiction is a very serious thing that affects millions of people. No matter what he accomplishes on the field, he will be faced with that addiction for the rest of his life. But regardless of what’s next for Josh, I know I’ll be rooting for him, because if we changed places, I know that he would be rooting for me.


*Josh Hamilton was named the Top Prospect at the 1998 Team One National Showcase


Jason Budden is the Vice President of Operations and Marketing at Baseball Factory. Jason joined the Baseball Factory in 1997 while still a junior in high school. After going through the Baseball Factory's college recruiting program he was placed at Johns Hopkins University where he played two years of college baseball before graduating with a degree in Economics. After working part-time at the Factory throughout college, Jason joined the team as a full-time employee in January 2002 when he was promoted to Director of Marketing. He currently oversees all marketing projects and sponsorship opportunities at Baseball Factory. He is also in charge of development and marketing for Baseball University, the leader in online baseball education and a division of Baseball Factory.

All-Star Beef

Jason Budden: Un-Common Sense?

Every year there is a debate about the players selected to the All-Star Game:

- “How did the fans vote in that guy?”
- “I can’t believe the manager is playing favorites and taking him over a guy who really deserves to be in.”
- “Why do they need to have a player from each team? So-and-so should definitely have made it before that guy.”

There are always going to be a few players that got the All-Star snub. Who fits the mold for this year’s game?

What A Snub:

A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox, Catcher
Pierzynski is hitting .296 with the same number of homeruns as Jason Varitek, and six more RBI. Not to mention 21 more runs scored. Varitek clearly got preferential treatment from Terry Francona. No one hitting .215 should be chosen as a reserve.

David Wright, New York Mets, Third Base
Seriously, how did he not get selected? He has scored 56 runs, hit 17 homeruns and driven in 70, while stealing nine bases and hitting .288. Hopefully he receives the “Final Vote” from the fans because he should be there.

Jermaine Dye, Chicago White Sox, Outfield
Head-to-head, his stats match up with J.D. Drew and Manny Ramirez, both of whom are in the game. While I personally would put him in over Drew, I can’t fault that selection by Francona. Dye is another candidate who could get in the game through the “Final Vote” by the fans on MLB.com.

Carlos Lee, Houston Astros, Outfield
I think the fact that Lee was left off the team is a complete reflection of the fans voting in Alfonso Soriano and Kosuke Fukudome. Soriano and Fukudome both have solid numbers, but not in comparison with Lee and some of the other reserves that were selected. It would not surprise me if Soriano was still hurt and Lee was named as his replacement.

Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies, Pitcher
Of all the pitchers not selected, Hamels can raise the biggest argument. He is 9-5 with a 3.22 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 110 strikeouts in 128 2/3 innings pitched. This may be another case of favoritism as Clint Hurdle selected Aaron Cook from the Rockies. Cook is 11-6 with a 3.66 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and only 64 strikeouts in 132 2/3 innings pitched. He is having a career year, but Hamels deserves it more.

Regardless of the snubs, the game should be a classic and help bring an end to the era that is Yankee Stadium. I know that whatever players are competing, I’ll be watching.


Jason Budden is the Vice President of Operations and Marketing at Baseball Factory. Jason joined the Baseball Factory in 1997 while still a junior in high school. After going through the Baseball Factory's college recruiting program he was placed at Johns Hopkins University where he played two years of college baseball before graduating with a degree in Economics. After working part-time at the Factory throughout college, Jason joined the team as a full-time employee in January 2002 when he was promoted to Director of Marketing. He currently oversees all marketing projects and sponsorship opportunities at Baseball Factory. He is also in charge of development and marketing for Baseball University, the leader in online baseball education and a division of Baseball Factory.