Former American League MVP Josh Hamilton pleaded guilty to unlawful restraint in a Texas courtroom, stemming from an altercation with his teenage daughter in September 2019.
Hamilton, 40, pleaded guilty to unlawful restraint, a Class A misdemeanor, the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office said Tuesday. Judge Mike Thomas ordered Hamilton to pay court costs and a $500 fine, attend anger control counseling and parenting classes, and perform community service.
His daughter, then 14, alleged that Hamilton injured her when she visited him at his home in Keller, Texas. She told her mother, from whom Hamilton is divorced, that he cursed at her, threw a water bottle at her, grabbed a chair out from under her and threw it at her, threw her on the bed and hit her legs with an open hand and fist.
ABC News said a statement was read in court Tuesday on behalf of his daughter.
“My mom has taught me to forgive and how to love well, set boundaries, and pray for those who hurt us, but it isn’t always easy. I hope for all of our sakes he gets the help he needs,” she said.
Tampa Bay used the first pick of the 1999 MLB Draft on Hamilton, who was a high school outfielder in Raleigh, N.C. His career was derailed by cocaine and alcohol addiction, and he didn’t reach the major leagues until 2007.
In nine MLB seasons and 1,027 games with the Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels, Hamilton hit .290 with 200 home runs and 701 RBIs. He was the MVP in 2010 with Texas, when he hit 32 home runs and had 100 RBIs. He led the league in batting with a .359 average and in slugging percentage at .633.
Before the 2015 season, he admitted to a substance abuse relapse. His career ended after that season because of a knee injury.
–Field Level Media