BOSTON — Peabody's Jeff Allison, bonus baby gone bad but currently going well, has never met Josh Hamilton.
But if Hamilton, the Texas Rangers center fielder, has his way they will be talking soon.
Hamilton and Allison have eerily similar stories, separated only by four years.
Hamilton, 27, was drafted first overall by Tampa Bay in 1999, while Allison, 23, was chosen 16th overall by the Florida Marlins in 2003. Both were suspended for drug-related issues and both have had brushes with death.
The difference is that Hamilton has been clean for more than two years, has reached his potential in the major leagues and is now an MVP candidate.
Allison, who says he has been sober for more than a year, is at least two or three years away from fulfilling his life-long goal of pitching in the major leagues.
"I know his story, but I've never talked to him," said Hamilton before Tuesday's game with the Red Sox. "I've heard he's been doing well lately. That's good to hear."
Allison, 8-7 with a 4.47 ERA, is on a tear of sorts for the Marlins' Single-A affiliate, the Jupiter Hammerheads. He is 5-1 over his last nine starts with an ERA of about 4.00.
"It's important to have a support system," said Hamilton. "For me it was my family. ... I'm assuming he has people behind him, too."
Hamilton said for him the toughest part early on in turning his life and career around were the sleepless nights.
"The nightmares (about the drug use) are the worst," he said. "When you stop having the nightmares, you get bettter. ... The key is the bad thoughts and the urges. When they go away, he will be better."
Hamilton says he never got a call from a major leaguer who went through anything like he went through.
"If somebody called me it probably would have meant a lot," said Hamilton. "When I get his number, I will call him."><p>
Kelli Johnson 1-on-1 with John Thompson III -2/13
Alexander Semin finds back of net versus Rangers-2/12
The Sixers are not taking anyone lightly
Spring training is right around the corner
Moving day: Phils' gear en route to Clearwater
Will the Flyers make a move at the trade deadline?
Stoglin's frustrations boil over following Duke loss-2/12
Timonen "disappointed" in teammates' effort
Morganti: 'Rangers' power play demolished the Flyers'
Timonen: 'I think we got half the guys going and half the guys not'
More shootout woes in store for the Flyers when they face the Red Wings?
The Rangers have the Flyers' number
St. Joseph's vs. Massachusetts Highlights - 2/11
Penn vs. Dartmouth Highlights - 2/11
Drexel vs. Hofstra Highlights - 2/11
La Salle vs. St. Louis Highlights - 2/11
John Wall talks about the loss to the Heat-2/10
Collins takes the blame for the Sixers' final possession
Sixers vs. Clippers highlights
Sixers defensive effort not enough vs. Clippers
Julien: 'did it the hard way'
McAdam's Spring Training primer
Doc: Team's effort is 'un-Celtic'
Pierce stresses mental toughness
Globe 10.0 Who was the best free agent in Boston?
Maria Menounos dons a Giants-colored bikini after losing Super Bowl bet-2/7
Thomas' moratorium: 'I'm out, peace'
Gasol: 'Not pleasant' being part of trade rumor
Blakely: Gasol-for-Rondo trade unlikely
Brady-ing is Latest Internet Meme
Globe 10.0: Is Paul Pierce the Celtics greatest scorer?
Ranking Pierce among Celtics greats
Garnett's tale of first meeting Paul Pierce
Pierce's loyalty touted after big night
Hurt Locker: Patriots react to Super Bowl loss
Brown: 'Eli Manning is better than Tom Brady'
Local fans crushed by Patriots loss in Super Bowl XLVI
Marcus Johansson Caps lone goal in loss to Bruins-2/5
Matt Hendricks throws down with the Bruins' Adam McQuaid--2/5
Vinatieri, Law, Brown recount Super Bowl XXXVI
