Josh Hamilton relapses

Re: Josh Hamilton allegedly relapses

I'd say Hamilton is probably one of the more recognizable people in DFW, at least among sports fans. I can't imagine him going into a Dallas bar and not being recognized by more than a few people.

 

Re: Josh Hamilton allegedly relapses

Good Lord.

 

Re: Josh Hamilton allegedly relapses

Did some reading on this last night. It can be, although it's more of a term used in Christian support groups to help encourage someone to avoid dangerous situations or stop doing something they feel like they shouldn't be doing. Could be drugs, alcohol, looking at pornography, overeating, etc.

A few other things:

- I first read "accountability partner" and thought about the "life coach" that was riding on Metallica's coattails during "Some Kind of Monster"
- My first hope is that, if this is true, Hamilton is able to get the help he needs to get his sobriety back on track. Just because a person screws up 20 times doesn't mean they lose the right to try to get better on Chance #21.
- My second hope is that somehow this wasn't leaked to the media by the Rangers in some sort of bargaining ploy ahead of free agency.

 

Re: Josh Hamilton allegedly relapses

False. Sort of.
He wasn't suspended for using alcohol at all. He was suspended for failing multiple drug tests.
I really don't see why this is a story. He's not doing anything illegal. If he has a stipulation in his contract, then you have something, but otherwise, this shouldn't be a story.

 

Re: Josh Hamilton allegedly relapses

Man, you guys have zero news judgment to think this isn't a story. The one thing everyone knows about Hamilton, even more than his baseball ability or position, is that he is a recovering addict who found God and never touches the stuff. It is the building block of his entire personality and really one of the main considerations in the future of the franchise. If that is not true, and if the way it is learned to be untrue is by Hamilton drinking in a public place, that's a slam-dunk news story.

 

Re: Josh Hamilton allegedly relapses

Exactly. I can't believe anybody here even needs to have this explained to them.

 

Re: Josh Hamilton allegedly relapses

"Clean and Sober Since 2005"?

Um: http://www.aolnews.com/2009/08/08/josh-hamilton-admits-he-was-drunk-in-newly-published-photos/
At least that time, it was sort of a story, because he is married and there were pics of him with chicks and whip cream...still only news in the "TMZ/Deadspin" variety.

Unless he has a "no drinking in public" clause in his contract...this is not a story. If he doesn't show up for training camp in a few weeks because he is in rehab...then it's a story.

 

Re: Josh Hamilton allegedly relapses

In addition, his rehabilitation has been the source of glowing features. His image has become his rehabilitation. He likely has made at least some money off of that story line. If we're praising a guy for supposedly beating his demons, we have to at least mention when he fails. This story doesnt require any moralizing columns. We should feel bad for the guy, if anything. But it's a story.

 

Re: Josh Hamilton allegedly relapses

I would argue Josh Hamilton cheating on his wife is less of a story than Josh Hamilton drinking in public. He doesn't, to my knowledge, base his identity around being a great husband.

 

Re: Josh Hamilton allegedly relapses

Does the story say that Kinsler is the one who told the team?

 

Re: Josh Hamilton allegedly relapses

rmanfredi is right above. Accountability partner is a Christian term. Not just addiction things, but often times if you struggle with a sin, you find a person who will ask you questions and make sure you're not failing. Someone to pray with you and with whom you can be honest.

 

Re: Josh Hamilton allegedly relapses

Per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Hamilton called Kinsler to get Kinsler to join him. Kinsler went down to get Hamilton the hell out of there.

And BTW, this is a huge story. It underscores the risks the Rangers (or any team) take in signing Hamilton to the long-term deal that, presumably, will be put on the table some time in the next 12 months. He is one crazy afternoon away from failing a drug test -- he is tested multiple times a week for illegal drugs, but MLB does not require him to be alcohol free -- and being adios for a long, long time.