Josh Hamilton keeps moving up in stature — day by day, as he reminds himself. His career, his life, is all so fragile. But right now Hamilton is being compared to some terrific players of the recent past.
Early Friday evening, Yankees Manager Joe Girardi came up with a couple of names — Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey, Jr. A few hours later, Girardi demonstrated his respect, or fear, by having Hamilton walked three straight times with first base open.
Still discovering himself at 29, Hamilton reminds me of a switch-hitting superstar center fielder from an earlier age, one who is back in the spotlight these days. He reminds me of Mickey Mantle, not, I would like to think, because of some subliminal fascination with white superstars, but because Mantle’s tortured life and Hamilton’s imperiled life strike me as very close to each other.
Read Full Article »