Clinton Hollon has never experienced failure on a baseball mound. He was a standout in high school, a highly sought-after draft pick, and boasts an impressive career ERA of 3.32 in the minor leagues.
Unfortunately, Hollon’s struggles have never been related to his talent.
“I have taken away the game of baseball from myself more than anyone else has,” Hollon admitted.
Growing up in Kentucky, Hollon was recognized as a prodigy. He knew from an early age that he had exceptional skills.
“I actually started playing high school baseball in seventh grade,” Hollon recalled. “I remember feeling like I was destined for greatness even in T-ball.”
As a freshman, Hollon reached an impressive 91 mph and led Woodford County High School to a state title in 2012. Although he committed to attending the University of Kentucky, Hollon knew deep down that college wasn’t in his future. He didn’t even bother with the NCAA Clearinghouse compliance process.
In the 2013 draft, the Toronto Blue Jays selected Hollon in the second round. However, concerns about his character and an elbow injury led to him signing for less than the expected amount, receiving $467,280. Hollon entered professional baseball with immense talent, but little did he know that he was about to face significant challenges.
“Everything came naturally to me. I did some workouts and training, but it wasn’t a consistent grind. That’s why I ultimately failed in professional baseball – I wasn’t mature enough or prepared for it,” Hollon explained. “I was completely unprepared.”
The Blue Jays assigned Hollon to the GCL, where he started his career with 12 scoreless innings. Unfortunately, that would be the last time he experienced success in affiliated baseball.
“When I went home that offseason, I didn’t touch a baseball until the next spring training,” Hollon confessed. “I bought an El Camino, got involved with drugs, and engaged in foolish behavior. The following year, I was out of shape, and I could sense a change in the atmosphere around me.”
His lack of physical fitness exacerbated his previous elbow injury, leading to Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2014 season. This surgery also marked the beginning of his addiction to painkillers. Hollon returned to the field in 2015 with a healed elbow but a personal life that was spiraling out of control. As a result, Toronto suspended him in 2015 and again in 2016 after multiple failed drug tests.
“They called me in, and I already knew what it was about. I had been using drugs that morning,” Hollon admitted. “At that point, I was taking 15-20 Percocet 30s a day.”
Despite his struggles, the organization held onto Hollon until 2017, sending him to various treatment programs. However, none of them were successful. Hollon had given up on baseball and had no interest in turning his life around.
“At that point, I never imagined myself ever playing baseball again,” Hollon confessed.
Following his release, Hollon spiraled into a full-blown heroin addiction. He spent his days solely focused on getting high, more likely to overdose than to hold down a job.
“I abandoned my role as a father, my family – everything. Nobody knew if I was alive or dead,” Hollon revealed. “I was a terrible person.”
His journey back from the depths of despair began after overdosing in his bathroom with his young son in the adjacent room. This incident marked the start of a slow and steady process of overcoming his heroin addiction. Hollon gradually reduced his drug use until finally kicking the habit for good in 2020. However, he still battled with alcoholism. In 2021, he managed to gather himself enough to make a comeback with Gateway in the Frontier League. Although glimpses of his former self and his mid-90s fastball were still evident, his alcoholism prevented him from sustaining consistent performance. Hollon continued to struggle until late 2023 when he reached yet another breaking point – one that he hopes will be his final catalyst for change.
“I simply grew tired of not remembering hurting people and having to apologize for things I couldn’t recall,” Hollon shared. “It’s taken a long time for me to regain the desire to live life. It’s been a slow and gradual process.”
As of the time of writing, Hollon has been completely sober since 2023 – a little over two months. For the first time in years, he is working and training his body, hoping for one more opportunity to play professional baseball. He aspires to salvage his career and look back on his time in the sport with pride rather than regret. Although he understands that any team considering signing him would have valid concerns after nearly a decade of substance abuse and his recent sobriety, he is hopeful that at least one team will take a chance on his talent.
“I can’t provide you with a compelling reason to do so, other than the fact that you’d be getting more than you expect,” Hollon concluded.
In the latest episode of ‘From Phenom to the Farm,’ Clinton Hollon, a former farmhand of the Blue Jays, joins the discussion to talk about his journey from being a second-round pick to a life consumed by drug addiction. He also shares how he is working his way back to a life of sobriety and baseball.