Before the Los Angeles Angels decided to eat $68 million to basically give Josh Hamilton back to his old team, owner Arte Moreno explored ways to void the 33-year-old’s contract. Instead of getting into a legal battle over the matter, the frustrated Angels just decided to trade the outfielder.
Arbitrators ruled that MLB could not punish Hamilton for his latest drug relapse because he did not actually fail a drug test. While many fans and analysts have been quick to throw the phrase “buyer beware” in Moreno’s face, it was interesting to hear Hamilton use a variation of it when addressing the situation on Monday.
“He knew what the deal was when he signed me. Hands down,” Hamilton said, per Gabe Lacques of USA Today Sports. “He knew what he was getting, what the risks were. Under the (joint drug agreement), it is what it is.”
Something just doesn’t seem right about that coming from Hamilton. We know addiction is a disease, but one would expect Hamilton to hold himself accountable on some level. Hamilton, who filed for a divorce from his wife Katie around the time of his latest relapse, was offended by Moreno’s assertion that he lacked accountability.
“I have no clue what he is talking about,” he said. “I showed up every day. Played hard every day I was there. Going into this season, I hadn’t been the player they wanted me to be.
“But I worked my butt off to be that player this year for the Angels. They just didn’t want it to happen to me for some reason. It doesn’t hurt my feelings, doesn’t make me mad. But I’m prepared.”
Most people don’t understand drug and alcohol addiction, which is one of the reasons players typically apologize when they abuse drugs or alcohol. Hamilton apologized on Tuesday for the stuff he has said about Rangers fans in the past, but he did not apologize for allegedly doing cocaine at a strip club in February. Whether you think he owes anyone an apology for that is a matter of personal opinion.
