Have The Angels Have Turned Their Back on Josh Hamilton?

Angels owner Arte Moreno told reporters on Friday that Josh Hamilton's contract contains language that prohibited him from using drugs or alcohol, according to the Orange County Register.

Prior to the start of the 2015 season, Hamilton admitted to Major League Baseball that he relapsed. Hamilton has battled drug and alcohol addiction for the majority of his professional career.

If Hamilton is in violation of his contract, the Angels could potentially get out of owing the outfielder the remaining $83 million he's under contract for.

“It's not about money, nothing about money,” Moreno said. “In our contract, there's language that he signed and that his agent approved that said he cannot drink and use drugs. So, we have specific language in the agreement. We have a couple other players who have the same language.”

The Angels were surprisingly critical of the MLB's decision to not suspend or punish Hamilton, who hit .263 with 10 home runs in 89 games in 2014.

It's terrible that the Angels are clearly just trying to rid themselves of a problem contract, without showing any compassion for the player. They knew what they were signing, and they went ahead with it — Moreno and Josh Hamilton shook hands in the introductory press conference.

All in all, it’s a really ugly situation on a number of different levels that’s being made worse and worse by Moreno every time he opens his mouth. The entire Angels organization is handling this as poorly as possible in terms of public relations, managing the clubhouse, and - most importantly - being decent human beings. There is a way to handle this unfortunate moment in Hamilton’s life, and this isn’t it. For the sake of everyone involved, I hope this is resolved quickly and quietly, but it appears this is going to get worse before it gets any better.

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO

Josh Hamilton Expected to be Suspended 25 Games for Drug Relapse

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton suffered a drug relapse involving the use of cocaine and alcohol in the offseason. When Hamilton realized a drug test, which is administered three times a week, would come out positive, he self-reported his relapse. 

​Image Credit: sportstalkflorida.com

Hamilton’s father-in-law, Michael Chadwick, who has previously counseled Hamilton over his substance issues, said the 33-year-old “hit a bump in the road, keep him in your prayers,” according to Newsday.

The Angels outfielder met with MLB officials in New York on Wednesday to discuss a “disciplinary issue,” according to the Los Angeles Times. Angels spokesman Tim Mead confirmed the meeting to the Associated Press.

 

Hamilton, 33, was out of baseball for nearly three years for his struggles with drugs and alcohol. He was suspended multiple times as a minor-leaguer. He came back with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007 and had five strong seasons with the Texas Rangers, in which he won an MVP in 2010. He joined the Angels in 2013 as a free agent with a $125 million contract.

One of the conditions of Hamilton's reinstatement in 2006 was that he undergo drug testing three times a week. He had alcohol relapses in 2009 and 2012, bouncing back in between to make back-to-back trips to the World Series with the Texas Rangers and win the 2010 American League MVP award.

It is very disappointing to see Josh Hamilton relapse. Seeing him sober up and make a little bit of a comeback was great to see for baseball fans. We are all pulling for him to get better. 

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO