Former Major League Baseball Player
Carlton Byron Hamilton played professional baseball for nine seasons. He was a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, Oakland A’s, Anaheim Angels, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Currently, he is the owner of Major League Mobile Tax Service, a mobile income tax preparation, accounting and bookkeeping service in the Phoenix metro area; the founder of Finding Diamonds Consulting, an organization providing motivational and sales coaching, life and relationship coaching, career coaching for the employed, unemployed and underemployed; a relationship columnist for phxsoul.com, a website providing valuable, one-stop-shop information on nightlife, community service, current events, politics, dating, education and more, for people who live and work in Phoenix, AZ, particularly African Americans. He is the father of two children (Jamari & Chanterelle) and he loves being a dad.
Interview:
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
Believe it or not, I wanted to be a professional baseball player as early as ten years old. I was getting into so much trouble. My mom signed me up for little league baseball even though there were only a few games left in the season. I was hooked from day one. Here is a good story: While a junior in high school, I was sitting next to our future valedictorian, Mitchell Creinin. He had just informed me that he took the college entrance exam (ACT) and received a score of 32 out of 35. He said he was going to take it over and I said, “Why?” He wanted a perfect score because he wanted to attend medical school. I told him that I was going to be a professional baseball player. Seven years later, I’m in Northwestern Memorial Hospital in downtown Chicago, about to have surgery on my left elbow for the second time because of the massive amount of throwing from being a professional baseball pitcher. As I sat on the table before being wheeled into surgery, I became surrounded by interns from all over the world as my doctor explained the procedure. Suddenly, I looked to my right and who did I see? It was Mitchell Creinin, from high school. We both looked at each other and I said, “So, you’re a doctor” and he said, “So, you’re a baseball player.”
How does your current career relate to what you wanted when you were a kid?
I was a very shy and quiet kid growing up. Most people cannot believe that now because I’m a very approachable, social person. Sports, specifically baseball, allowed me to express myself without words. Today, I aspire to inspire people to understand that the expressions of body movement that I so desired as a child, begin in the mind. The mind is your most powerful tool. When one understands the power and ability one possesses by knowing they have complete control of their mind and actions, now you have inspired someone to greatness.
What brings you the greatest joy?
Helping someone learn they have complete control over their past, present and future. One will ask how a person can control the future. One controls the future by creating it. I asked the question “Who are you?” and “What inspires you?” of my life coach friend, Sarah Harrison, and she simply replied, “I’m POWER, FREEDOM and ABUNDANCE.” She is! I aspire to have people be that as well.
What is the easiest part of what you do?
Telling my story. When you enlighten others of something that is heartfelt, it’s easy.
What is the hardest?
Seeing individuals who have allowed themselves to be so beat down by life that the beautiful journey of life is so painful for them.
How do you get through inertia and lethargy; and what has the potential to outright STOP you?
I think back to a time in my life where I lost four years because of decisions I made. Time marches on, so I cannot get it back. Death is the only thing that would keep me from moving forward. I am who I am already. Death would just stop my physical progress.
How do youkeep it from stopping you?
I’ve heard people say that if their parents, children or a spouse died, they wouldn’t know what to do. That is the time you move on as the deceased person would want their death to be an inspiration in some way. So, I use failure, disappointments and successes as more motivation to “BE” all I can.
Who would you like to be stuck in an elevator with?
Malcom X – one of the most misunderstood and at the same time, one of the most brilliant thinkers the world has ever seen. I had the opportunity to study him extensively to the degree that most don’t get the chance. Because of our lack of time, most do not realize he and Martin Luther King reach the same conclusion in their journey. That is a powerful understanding that few scholars speak about today. I’m sure we’ll share an elevator at the appointed time.
Carlton Hamilton’s Website: wwwrightnowmobiletaxservice.com / www.phxsoul.com
