In May 2005, former MLB MVP Josh Hamilton was arrested and charged with misdemeanor property damage after he smashed his friend’s windshield on his truck.

Hamilton never went to trial for the incident, but the Tampa Bay Rays removed Hamilton from its 40-man roster and placed him on the restricted list.

>SLIDESHOW: MOST INFAMOUS SPORTS MUGSHOTS & THE STORIES BEHIND THEM!

Hamilton was selected first overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 1999 MLB Draft, where he was viewed as a generational prospect.

During Hamilton’s early career, he struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, which resulted in his getting suspended by the MLB and missing multiple seasons. From 2003 to 2005, Hamilton was out of the league due to his addictions, and many believed his career was over.

Hamilton got clean and played with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007. After the 2007 season, Hamilton was traded to the Texas Rangers, where he showed why he was the number one pick in the draft.

With the Rangers, Hamilton was a five-time All-Star, won three Silver Slugger Awards, and won the American League MVP in 2010. Hamilton also helped the team appear in two World Series in 2010 and 2011.

Hamilton signed a lucrative contract with the Los Angeles Angels before the 2013 season, but his production declined due to injuries.

In 2017, Hamilton retired from the MLB, despite his last game having been played on October 4, 2015. In 2019, Hamilton was inducted into the Texas Rangers’ Hall of Fame.

Former MLB MVP and Texas Rangers legend Josh Hamilton was indicted on Monday on one count of injury to a child with intentional bodily injury. This counts as a third-degree felony, which occurred on September 30, where he was charged with injuring his oldest daughter.

On October 31, Hamilton pled not guilty after having turned himself in the night before. Hamilton was released on a $35,000 bond, however, the case has been postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The courts have decided not to hold any hearings until after May 11.

Hamilton was accused of throwing a water bottle at his 14-year old daughter, as well as hitting her in the chest. Hamilton is also accused of taking a chair and throwing it in her direction, striking her leg and causing the speculated injury. Finally, Hamilton picked up his daughter and carried her to her room, then striking her in the back and legs, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

The incident came just two days after Hamilton was introduced as a Rangers legend in the era of the Globe Life Park Stadium.

The Rangers organization has expressed its concern about family violence, saying, “The Texas Rangers take the issue of family violence very seriously… We are aware of the situation involving Josh Hamilton. Since this is an ongoing legal matter, we have no further comment.”

Hamilton shared custody of his three daughters with his ex-wife, Katie. Originally, the court banned him from having contact with them, but the ruling was amended in December to no unsupervised contact without an adult present.

Throughout his career, Hamilton has struggled with drug abuse and alcohol, which is why he is one of the most observed players in MLB history. In 2007, he was traded to the Rangers in a blockbuster move, and three years later he became the American League MVP. Hamilton was an RBI machine, however, he constantly had issues with substance abuse.

The Texas Rangers placed outfielder Josh Hamilton on unconditional release waivers Tuesday, while leaving open the possibility of the former MVP returning to the team on a minor league deal in 2017.

Rangers Place Josh Hamilton On Waivers, But Leave Door Open For Return In 2017

Hamilton, 35, underwent season-ending surgery in June to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, and he stated in late July that he projects to be completely healthy and ready in time for spring training.

The veteran outfielder was activated off the 60-day disabled list and then placed on waivers. The move was expected, and Hamilton will now be a free agent in the offseason and be allowed to sign with any team. According to Major League Baseball’s contract rules, if the Rangers hadn’t placed him on waivers by the end of August, Hamilton would not have been able to play for the team until after May 15, 2017.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told reporters in a conference call that he had talked to Hamilton about the move, most recently on Tuesday.

“I’m hopeful that if he’s healthy and our roster is in a spot where we’d still like to have him back, we can work it out,” Daniels said. “But that’s still a few steps down the line.

“We’ve talked about it for a period of time, and he understands why we did it.”

Hamilton has been out the entire season due to several knee surgeries. He is currently working out in Houston and is not expected to be cleared for baseball activities before December.

Hamilton is still owed $30 million for next season under the five-year contract he signed with the Angels on Dec. 13, 2012. The Rangers acquired him on April 27, and under the conditions of the trade, the Angels are still obligated to pay for the bulk of the salary.

Daniels said the Rangers will want to see Hamilton work out before making a commitment for 2017. But they also realize that other teams will be watching as well.

“There is a mutual desire if we want to continue the relationship,” Daniels said. “In the meantime, he has options.”

Texas also recalled right-hander Shawn Tolleson from the minors and placed him on the 60-day DL, thus creating a spot for lefty Derek Holland to return from the DL and start against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night, a game which the Reds won 3-0. 

Hamilton was a five-time All-Star and the 2010 AL MVP in his five seasons with the Rangers from 2008 to 2012. He left in free agency and signed a $125 million, five-year contract with the Angels.

ARLINGTON, TX – AUGUST 03: Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers makes a sliding catch in the seventh inning during a game against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington on August 3, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)

After rampant rumors, Josh Hamilton has met with the MLB’s disciplinary board to discuss an apparent relapse. Hamilton has had a long documented struggle with substance abuse: a highly sought out prospect in the late 90s, his career has been filled with ups and a whole lot of downs.

He has been treated for substance abuse back in 2002, but was at his lowest between then and 2006: he failed several drug test and became addicted to cocaine and crack. After years in the minors, he finally made it to the big leagues in 2007 for the Cincinnati Reds, yet has to submit to three mandatory drug tests weekly.

Since then, he has been seen as an inspiration for recovering drug addicts everywhere: he won the AL MVP in 2010 and made two World Series appearances with the Texas Rangers. His lifetime numbers speak for themselves: in eight seasons, hampered with various injuries, he has a .292 batting average, over 1,000 hits, 192 home runs and an on base percentage of .352.

But since bouncing between the Reds, Rangers and Angels, he has relapsed three separate times: the first two occurring in 2009 and 2012 with solely alcohol. As for the third time, The New York Daily News confirmed earlier reports that in the offseason, Hamilton relapsed again: allegedly it was with cocaine and alcohol.

CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported that Hamilton allegedly approached the league office on his own accord: taking responsibility for his actions without failing a drug test — meaning he could be “put in the program as a first time offender.” Josh’s father-in-law, Michael Chadwick, has told reporters that “[He] hit a bump in the road, keep him in your prayers:” he has helped Hamilton with his substance abuse in the past.

Josh Hamilton was already going to start the season on the DL due to his recent shoulder surgery: he was likely to be out until at least May. There is no word, at the moment, if he will indeed be treated as a first time offender.