Josh Hamilton Returns To The Rangers, Says Angels Owner ‘Knew What He Was Getting’

Josh Hamilton will be heading back to play baseball for the Texas Rangers. But before taking the field with his new-old team, Hamilton had a few things to say about his time with the Los Angeles Angels.

Hamilton was with the Texas Rangers from 2008-2012. After the 2012 season, Hamilton signed a five-year, $125-million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. Hamilton’s first two seasons produced lackluster statistics and a shoulder injury, but the real friction between Josh Hamilton and the Angels organization came after Hamilton, a known addict, had a drug and alcohol relapse.

The relapse, which Hamilton said happened during the offseason, led to arbitration, with arbitrator Roberta Golick ruling that Major League Baseball had no grounds to discipline Hamilton. Angels owner Arte Moreno felt differently and made it known that he didn’t want Hamilton to play for the Angels again.

During a press conference Monday, Hamilton made his feelings about his time with the Angels known, with most of his frustration directed toward Moreno.

“He knew what the deal was when he signed me. Hands down. He knew what he was getting, what the risks were.”

Hamilton has a long history of substance abuse problems and relapses. The outfielder was drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Marlins in 1999, but cocaine and alcohol problems off the field led to problems on the field while he was in the minors. In fact, Hamilton did not play from 2002-2005 because of substance abuse problems, eventually returning to play with the Cincinnati Reds in 2007. In 2009, Hamilton admitted to a relapse, and 2012 brought another relapse. Both times, Hamilton is said to have consumed alcohol. His most recent relapse, during the past offseason, involved cocaine, Hamilton said.

He’s back. pic.twitter.com/9T6dmuQP6m

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) April 27, 2015

Josh Hamilton is known for being open and straight forward about his substance abuse problems, which he discusses candidly in his 2008 biography, Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength to Come Back. Despite problems Hamilton has faced off the field, Rangers’ General Manager Jon Daniels said he is excited to have Hamilton back, calling Hamilton “a player we feel can be productive and help us win games.”

ICYMI: Hamilton addressed the fans about retuning to Texas. pic.twitter.com/sFaABNfciX — Texas Rangers (@Rangers) April 27, 2015

Hamilton sounded as if he is thrilled to be back in Texas, as well. During the press conference, he had this to say.

“I’m back here. I’m back home. I’m going to give everything I’ve got.”

In fact, in retrospect, Hamilton probably wouldn’t have left the Rangers in the first place, he said during the press conference.

“I’ve had a lot of good memories here. Looking back on it now, if I could change the past, I would… Probably wouldn’t have gone anywhere. Probably would have stayed here.”

Hamilton wasn’t the only one who knew the move to the Angels didn’t go as planned. In talking to ESPN, Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said the move to bring Josh Hamilton to didn’t fit.

“It didn’t work out on the field. It didn’t work out off the field. From beginning to end, this is not what we planned. This is not the way we envisioned any of this playing out from the moment we signed Josh.”

In order to deal Hamilton back to the Rangers, Moreno and the Angels agreed to pay more than $80 million of the remaining salary on Hamilton’s contract, according to ESPN. In addition, the Angels will receive a player to be named later or cash.

Hamilton, who will turn 34-years-old in May, will report to extended spring training with the Texas Rangers in Surprise, Arizona.

Josh Hamilton is recovering from shoulder surgery and is currently on the 15-day disabled list.

[Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Sport]