Just days after returning from his World Series run, Josh Hamilton was back in front of a crowd on Sunday. But he wasn't wowing fans with his skills on the field, he was giving them an intimate look at his life and the relationship he says saved him.
Hamilton told his story to the congregation at First Baptist Church in Dallas. The church is a popular Sunday morning destination, but members said the crowd was significantly larger that day.
"It’s absolutely packed in there. We got here about an hour ahead of time and it was already filling up and it's going to be packed for this next service, it's just amazing," said member John Thomas.
Hamilton tackled several subjects, but focused on his struggle with addiction, including his relapse back in 2009. Hamilton says a list of priorities always keeps him straight.
"It’s God first, humility, family, sobriety and baseball," Hamilton said.
But in January of 09, Hamilton said those priorities had gotten out of line.
"I stopped just for three weeks and the thought of having one drink came in my head, and I went to have that one drink and it turned into 20 and not remembering half of what I did," Hamilton said.
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His story really hit home with the younger crowd.
"It just drives the point that you never really want to start," said Cooper Wagner.
Sober again since that day, Hamilton said he achieved a major goal when he played in a World Series. But he says he didn't do it alone.
"I can't do it on my own, I need God every step of the way and Jesus and that relationship every step of the way," said Hamilton.
