On February 25, CBS Sports' baseball writer Jon Heyman reported that Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton had relapsed months ago with cocaine. It was reported that Hamilton reported his relapse to the Angels and Major League Baseball, owning up to his mistake and seeking help.
For those not familiar with Hamilton's story, it's a roller coaster of ups and downs. He was the consensus top prospect coming out of Athens Drive High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. A two-way star that had the five-tool ability and a fastball that could reach the high-90's, it was an easy decision for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to take him with the first overall pick in 1999.
It was a monumental moment for Hamilton, joining the likes of Ken Griffey Jr. (1987), Chipper Jones (1990) and Alex Rodriguez (1993). Unfortunately, he would battle knee and back injuries for his first two seasons, limited to just 491 at bats in the minors between 2000-'01. The Rays started noticing changes in Hamilton's behavior and he was sent to rehab after multiple failed drug tests. From 2002-2006, he failed six drug tests and bounced in and out of rehab. MLB suspended him multiple times, banning him from team facilities and leaving him alone.
It wasn't until he had nowhere but back home to his grandmother's house to go, that Hamilton found help. As he told the NY Daily News in "I didn't have anywhere to go. I showed up at her house, 180 pounds and not knowing what to do." A stern word from his grandmother and direction toward religion helped Hamilton recognize his problem and quitting drugs and alcohol.
In 2006, the Rays kept Hamilton off their 40-man roster, allowing him to be selected in the Rule 5 Draft. The Chicago Cubs drafted him with the No.3 overall pick and traded him to the Cincinnati Reds. After years of bouncing around rehab, drug addiction and finally getting help, Hamilton made his Major-League debut on April 2, 2007 against the Cubs. He received a 22-second standing ovation from the crowd. While he again battled injuries, it all came together for Hamilton in 2007. In just 298 at bats, he hit 19 HR's, drove in 47 runs and had a .368 OBP.
He was traded in the offseason to the Texas Rangers, the beginning of an incredible five-year run with the Rangers. Over five seasons, Hamilton hit 142 HR's with 508 RBI's and made the All-Star team all five seasons, while winning American League MVP in 2010. After the 2012 season, he signed a five-year, $125 million contract with the Angels. Los Angeles knew Hamilton had struggles with alcohol and drugs, but they gave him a major contract and accepted the risk. In his two years with the Angels, Hamilton has struggled, especially last season when he hit just 10 home runs and a .263 batting average.
Quitting cold turkey is unspeakably difficult, as evidenced by National Institute of Drug Abuse data that showed 60 percent of drug addicts relapse. Hamilton suffered a relapse with alcohol in 2009; marking the first time he had a drink in nearly four years. Hamilton admitted to the relapse to coaches, MLB officials and his family and was not suspended. In February 2012, Hamilton again relapsed with alcohol. Hamilton has now relapsed for a third time, this time with alcohol and cocaine.
Addiction is impossible to understand if you've never experienced it, either first-hand or seeing a family member or friend with an addiction. In normal life, the focus is on surrounding that person with help, especially friends and family who they trust. But for whatever reason, professional sports don't seem to pick up on this. Major League Baseball and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred wanted Hamilton suspended for failing the drug test. But an independent arbitrator ruled Hamilton could not be suspended because he didn't violate his treatment program.
Even more disturbing than MLB's reaction is how the Angels' reacted to the Hamilton news. Angels president John Carpino told reporters that the ruling "It defies logic that Josh's reported behavior is not a violation of his drug program." The Angels were so focused on Hamilton's suspension and hoping a severe punishment would be handed down because it would mean they don't have to pay him part of the $23 million he is owed this season. While Los Angeles said they are looking out for Josh and will continue to support him, reality paints a far different picture.
Baseball contracts are fully guaranteed, so Los Angeles was trying to find any way to get out of this massive contract in any way. This is exactly what points to a major issue with management and the bottom line in professional sports. Quotes like the one we see coming out of Los Angeles show that the Angels don't have their players' back in difficult times.
It's not as if Hamilton told lie upon lie to hide this, he was upfront with everyone and admitted his relapse immediately. We aren't even talking about assault charges, domestic violence, DUI's or numerous other crimes that are far more dangerous and put the healthy and safety of others at risks. But those are meaningless details for MLB and the Angels.
Hamilton was able to turn his life around earlier in his life because of help from his family. Teammates and your team are just like your family, you spend months with them and go through bad times and good. It's sickening to think Los Angeles wanted to take that away from Hamilton, tossing him aside and just looking out for their pocket books. Major League Baseball and Manfred deserve criticism as well, but the Angels are the biggest culprit.
This isn't ending any time soon, but hopefully more athletes realize teams like the Angels aren't looking out for them and will gladly throw the athlete to the side if it saves them a few bucks. Carpino added in his statement that the "We are disappointed that he (Hamilton) has broken an important commitment which he has made to himself, his family, his teammates and our fans". That's an ironic statement considering the Angels seem desperate to break their commitment to Hamilton, no matter the consequences. Would the Angels have had a problem with Hamilton and hoped for a suspension if hit hit .280 with 30 HR's and 95 RBI's last season? I guarantee you they would be jumping for joy with the arbitrator's decision.
Here's a quote for you Carpino. "Good-natured, sensible human beings are disgusted that the Angels show an intolerable lack of interest in helping a young man in need of support. We are disappointed that Carpino has broken a commitment to Hamilton and human decency."