Update: Josh Hamilton Meeting With MLB Regarding ‘Disciplinary Issue’
UPDATE: Amid the speculation of Josh Hamilton and his meeting with MLB executives, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported the reason for Hamilton being in trouble.
Hear hamilton had relapse. Believe occurred a couple months back. Involved at least cocaine. Honorably, he confessed.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) February 26, 2015
Despite the obvious terrible circumstances, Heyman added that Hamilton will get a chance to rectify his dire situation.
There’s no word of a failed test. Word is, Hamilton told mlb about relapse. He’d be put in program as 1st time offender.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) February 26, 2015
It’s a sad thing to process that the same Josh Hamilton who built a reputation on defeating his demons is battling them again. The only thing that he can do at this point is accept the program and do his best to not suffer another relapse. A tremendous talent who will likely go down as an overall disappointment due to the nature of his issues.
ORIGINAL: After suffering an injury that will delay the start to his 2015 season, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton is reportedly meeting with MLB officials regarding a ‘disciplinary issue,’ per a report from the L.A. Times.
Angels General Manager Jerry Dipoto did reveal that he knows of Hamilton’s whereabouts but denied knowing any other information in the report.
“I can say that Josh is going to meet with league officials in New York. At this point I have no other information to offer.”
Hamilton, 33, suffered a shoulder injury prior to spring training, which put his return to the field in doubt. The surgery to repair his AC joint put him on the shelf for six to eight weeks, making an opening day start unlikely. Now, with this latest roadblock, it’s unclear when and if Hamilton will suit up in 2015.
The troubled former American League MVP signed with the Angels prior to the 2013 season on a five-year, $125 million contract. Partnered with superstar Mike Trout and the legendary Albert Pujols, the five-time All-Star was expected to be a huge part of one the most fearsome lineups in the game.
Thus far, that has not been the case. During his two-year stint in Anaheim, Hamilton hit just 31 HR with 123 RBI in 240 total games from 2013-2014 — numbers that pale in comparison to his career years with the Texas Rangers, which included a 2012 season in which he hit.285/.354/.577 with 43 HR and 128 RBI.
Fox Sports MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal attempted to clarify the situation in speaking with a baseball executive. Instead, the cryptic response he received is causing a huge stir among fans, writers and various other people close to the situation.
Asked a baseball executive if Hamilton’s discipline was for PEDs. His response: “Worse.” The executive declined to elaborate.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 25, 2015
In spite of the resurrection that his baseball career underwent, Hamilton’s past still follows him where ever he goes. He was infamously out of baseball from 2003 to 2005 whilst battling an addiction to cocaine and alcohol. Also, not too long ago, Hamilton suffered a relapse that people got pictures of. He even reverted back to chewing tobacco in 2013.
It would be unfortunate if Hamilton suffered another relapse with drugs and alcohol — the same two substances which nearly ended both his career and life. However, judging by the tone of the executive that Rosenthal spoke with, ‘PEDS or alcohol might be the best case scenario in this situation.
[Image by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images]
