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Growing up in Los Angeles in the mid-70's Al Hamilton was always a star. A star in school, a star in his small suburb community, and a star in baseball. But often baseball, even when playing baseball, was the farthest thing from his mind.
"To be truthful I just really thought a lot about my dad. I would see other kids at practice and their dads were always there. Warming up with them, cheering for them, buying them snacks after the game. I mean...I don't want to take anything away from my mother, she was absolutely wonderful...but you know, I just thought about what it would have been like."
Like many other kids growing up in that time period, Al's father was one of the 58,000+ young men who gave their life overseas during the Vietnam War. Francis Alton Hamilton was born in 1946 to a father who had just come home from WWII. Growing up the military and baseball was all he knew and he did two things the day he turned 18, he enlisted in the Army and he married his high school sweetheart Barbara. He was as talented on the battle field as he was in the baseball field, and several years later he was recruited by a friend to join an elite recon team. He excelled at it and became a LRRP (Long Range Recon Patrol) in 1968 . In '69 his company became the 75th Ranger Regiment and Francis was selected to be a team leader. He and his men were often sent deep into the jungles of Vietnam to scout enemy movement and positions.
When Francis took his much needed R&R in September of '70 he had several choices where he could go. Some soldiers went to Saigon, others went to Australia, but not Francis...he went straight back to Barb for a fun and sun filled two weeks in Hawaii. It was a short trip and in a letter home after returning to Vietnam he wrote to her how the time went by too fast and how he could hardly wait to be with her again. It is a letter that Barb still has, and it was also Francis' last one. On October 16th, 1970 at the age of 24, Francis Alton Hamilton was killed in action. He was later awarded the Medal of Honor, the countries highest decoration, posthumously.
"I've spoken with two of his squad mates that were with my dad the day he died and they said it was pure hell. After being dropped off the day before they had been dogged all afternoon by a tracker that they finally thought they had shaken. During the night though they heard rustling in the bushes around them, and saw lanterns off in the distance. They called for an evacuation and were told that at first light they should make a break for the closest LZ (landing zone) and the choppers would meet them. Unfortunately when they broke camp in the morning they were immediately hit with fire from several sides. My dad's best friend in the group was instantly killed and my dad refused to leave his body behind. The assistant team leader, the rear guard, and the radio man were also wounded, and the radio was shot to pieces. In two minutes the six man squad had one KIA, three WIA, and they had no contact with the outside world. My dad didn't give up though. According to the survivors he fought like a man possessed. On the certificate given to us with the medal it says that he 'single handily broke wave after wave of the enemy and allowed time for the helicopters to reach the embattled squad, thus saving the remaining men under his command from certain death.' I must have read those words 1000 times."
Sadly though there would be no happy ending here. As Francis carried his best friend towards the waiting Huey he was struck multiple times by gunfire and collapsed.
"My dad refused to let go of him. That was the Ranger way, and more importantly it was his way. When the remaining men got both of them on the helicopter my dad's only question was if everyone made it out. When they told him yes he closed his eyes...and he never opened them again."
Barbara was devastated, and even more so a week later when she found out she was pregnant. Time heals all wounds and the birth of a baby boy in June of 1971 helped, but she never remarried.
"To this day my mom has never gone out on another date. I'm sure she will read this and I hope she doesn't get upset, but I really wish she would. I just want to see her happy. And now that I've been drafted and will be off to Texas in a few months I would feel much better if there was someone else around when I leave. I love you mom, always have, always will."
Al will indeed be off to Texas in a few months. The ninth pick in the 1990 BLB draft belonged to Batavia and they eagerly scooped him up. Scouts across the nation agree that if things go right he could be a star someday. During his HS career he hit .456/.561/.810 with 36 HR's and 111 RBI's. At only 18 years old Batavia has already said they plan on sending him to their A ball club Hondo (TX) for at least this year and then re-evaluate him after that.
"People asked me if I was nervous or scared before the BLB draft and I would just smile and say no. My dad would get dropped off by helicopter with three or four other guys, in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by people trying to kill him...and then get picked up a few days later. Now that's scary. Wondering if I was going to get picked to play baseball for a living, that's as far from scary as you can get.
As far as being drafted I'm very happy to go in the top ten. There are some great players in this years draft. Hopefully in a few seasons I can work my way to the BLB. I know Batavia has had some bad luck in the past with their 1st round selections and I want to turn that streak around starting with me.
I also believe that my dad is looking down on me. He might not have known me while he was on Earth, but I guarantee he is watching over my mom and I now. I just want to play up to my ability, give him something to cheer about, and hopefully he can be proud of me."
Al Hamilton is a sweet swinging lefty who was a leader in his school, active in the community, and loves his mother...everything Francis also stood for. Trust us on this one kid...you already have.
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