Ex-MLBer Hamilton hit with abuse rap

Josh Hamilton, the troubled former major league slugger, turned himself in and was arrested Wednesday in Fort Worth, Texas, after being accused of hitting and berating one of his daughters.

Hamilton, 38, was booked at the Tarrant County Courthouse on a third-degree injury to a child felony charge and bond was set for $35,000, according to a local CBS affiliate.

The bond conditions also stipulated the former Reds, Rangers and Angels outfielder not have any contact with his three daughters (the oldest of whom is 14), nor with any child under the age of 17. Hamilton separated from the mother of his children, Katie, in 2015 and has publicly struggled with alcohol and drug addictions.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit reviewed by the CBS affiliate, one of Hamilton’s daughters in September told authorities the two started fighting after she said something that upset him.

Hamilton allegedly then threw a full water bottle that hit the unnamed daughter in the chest. He then cursed and yelled at her before pulling a chair out from under her feet, which caused her to fall, according to the affidavit. Hamilton then picked her up and carried her into the bedroom while yelling, “I’m sorry,” before pinning her face down and hitting her legs.

Once Hamilton allegedly finished hitting her, he said, “I hope you go in front of the f--king judge and tell him what a terrible dad I am so I don’t have to see you anymore and you don’t ever have to come to my house again.”

Hamilton’s attorney, in a statement, said his client “is innocent of the charge against him and looks forward to clearing his name in court.”

Hamilton starred in the 2008 Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium, hitting a then-record 28 first-round home runs. Hamilton earned $146 million over his major league career, according to Spotrac. Hamilton was drafted by Tampa Bay in 1999, but didn’t reach the majors until 2007 with Cincinnati, largely because of substance abuse problems.