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Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1981, Josh Hamilton was introduced to baseball at a young age. With a family dedicated to his athletic career—his father, Tony, often traveling great distances to support him—Hamilton’s promise was evident. As a gifted high school athlete towering at 6’4”, he drew comparisons to legends like Ken Griffey Jr., making him a coveted prospect. In the 1999 MLB Draft, he was chosen first overall by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, backed by a record-setting signing bonus of $3.96 million that ensured his family’s financial stability.