Dec. 12, 2007 was declared Josh Hamilton Day in the city of Raleigh, N.C., and in the nearby towns of Cary and Garner.

Hamilton, who emerged as one of the National League's top rookies this season, hit .292 with 19 home runs for the Cincinnati Reds in his debut. Hamilton was a baseball standout at Athens Drive High School in Raleigh before he was selected No. 1 overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 1999 First-Year Player Draft.

Hamilton was presented a Carolina Hurricanes jersey with No. 33 and Hamilton on the back during the first intermission of the Hurricanes vs. Ottawa Senators game. The jersey was presented by NHL Hall of Famer and Hurricanes Assistant General Manager Ron Francis. Hamilton presented Francis with a Reds jersey (No. 33 Hamilton) as well.

On December 21, 2008, the Cincinnati Reds traded Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers for pitchers Edinson Volquez and Danny Herrera.

Josh Hamilton (left) and Carolina Hurricanes assistant GM Ron Francis on Dec. 12, 2007. (Gregg Forwerck/Carolina Hurricanes)	Josh Hamilton signs autographs at the Carolina Hurricanes game on Dec. 12, 2007. (Gregg Forwerck/Carolina Hurricanes)
Josh Hamilton poses for photos with fans at the Carolina Hurricanes game on Dec. 12, 2007. (Gregg Forwerck/Carolina Hurricanes)	Josh Hamilton signs autographs at the Carolina Hurricanes game on Dec. 12, 2007. (Gregg Forwerck/Carolina Hurricanes)