DOWN THE LINE

A role model of a different sort

He hears it from the hecklers, everywhere. In St. Louis, he heard this from a fan in the bleachers: “My name is Josh Hamilton, and I’m a drug addict!”

The real Josh Hamilton, playing right field that night, turned to the bleachers and nodded. No sense in talking back. The heckler knew his story.

It’s an amazing story, a No. 1 draft pick who lost three years to drugs and alcohol, returned to play 15 games in Class A last year, then hit his way into the Reds’ lineup. He leads National League rookies with eight home runs, so a guy working in construction this time last year could emerge as rookie of the year.

That’s not the most amazing part of the story, at least to Hamilton. The hecklers are outnumbered. In every ballpark, he says, people greet him, encourage him, thank him for inspiring friends and relatives struggling to overcome addiction.

He won, but too many others have relapsed for him to proclaim victory for life. He measures victory by the day.

“Just getting out of bed and knowing I didn’t do anything last night to mess up today,” Hamilton said, “makes me feel like a better person.”

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Homeward-bound with a helping hand

Jackie Robinson Day has come and gone, and the focus of baseball has drifted elsewhere -- toward Roger Clemens’ comeback, or steroids, or when the Dodgers and Angels might get around to adding a bat.

We don’t hear as much about how baseball can attract black athletes, and that’s fine. This is when we see who talks a good game and who truly wants to help.

C.C. Sabathia wants to help. The Indians’ ace grew up in Vallejo, about 30 miles from Oakland. He said he would be headed home this weekend, to the North Vallejo Little League. He played there, when the league flourished. It does not now, despite Sabathia’s donations of cash and equipment, and he wants to find out why.

He hears the theory that inner-city kids just aren’t interested in baseball. Nonsense, he says.

“If ever there was a definition of an inner city, I grew up in it,” Sabathia said. “I don’t understand why it just died out. I’ll do everything I can to get kids in the inner city back interested.”

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So how’s that new soccer team in town?

Toronto could clinch the award for most disappointing team this summer before summer even starts. The Blue Jays beat out Boston for second place in the American League East last year, and they signed Frank Thomas last winter, but the Jays are a shambles today.

They broke a nine-game losing streak Friday, the same day they lost ace Roy Halladay to an appendectomy and third baseman Troy Glaus to a foot injury. So much, at least for now, for the Angels trading for Glaus.

On Thursday, the Jays lost closer B.J. Ryan for the season, to elbow surgery. Their disabled list also includes outfielder Reed Johnson, catcher Gregg Zaun and pitchers Gustavo Chacin, Brandon League and Carlos Zambrano.

The Big Hurt is not hurt, but Thomas is hitting .240.

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Love me, hate me, check out my stats

Up to his old tricks: Barry Bonds leads the major leagues in on-base percentage and slugging percentage. He entered the weekend batting .538 with men in scoring position.... Clemens with the Yankees’ offense? He hasn’t lost in six years when his offense scores four runs for him, according to Stats LLC. He’s 47-0 in those starts.... The Cardinals’ Rick Ankiel made his major league debut at 20, with a dazzling fastball and endless promise. His pitching career evaporated amid a sudden and baffling inability to throw strikes, so he decided to reinvent himself as an outfielder. He’s 27 now and he leads all of triple A with nine home runs.

-- Bill Shaikin