Such has been the case this past week with the news that Josh Hamilton of the Los Angeles Angels admitted to MLB that he suffered a setback in his battle with addictions that have haunted him. To his credit, Hamilton didn’t wait for a failed test or for a YouTube video to go viral. Instead, he was one of few and far between that stood up and insisted on being accountable for his actions. The rumor making its way around social media is that the fallen Angel will be suspended for 25 games.
Josh Hamilton likely to be suspended at least 25 games, though MLB trying to be lenient
@Ken_Rosenthal & @jonmorosi
https://t.co/53voEMbUDv
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) February 27, 2015
Even
though I am a lifelong, die hard New York Yankees fan, I’ve always
admired Hamilton – and not just because he helped me to three fantasy
baseball championships.
I had heard about his early battles with drug and alcohol addiction and how they robbed him of the early part of his career (he was suspended from 2003 – 2005) and watched him hit the ground running upon his return.
I read how in Texas he surrounded himself with support and turned to his faith in finding a source of strength on a daily basis. I loved how he played the game – an endless display of wearing his heart on his sleeve in going full tilt down a baseline or laying out to make an otherwise impossible catch.
Many in New York will remember his incredible performance in the home run derby at Yankee Stadium. In spite of the fact that he wasn’t one of ours, we chanted his name repeatedly as he launched ball after ball deep into the right field seats. Josh Hamilton was at the peak of his game.
I had heard about his early battles with drug and alcohol addiction and how they robbed him of the early part of his career (he was suspended from 2003 – 2005) and watched him hit the ground running upon his return.
I read how in Texas he surrounded himself with support and turned to his faith in finding a source of strength on a daily basis. I loved how he played the game – an endless display of wearing his heart on his sleeve in going full tilt down a baseline or laying out to make an otherwise impossible catch.
Many in New York will remember his incredible performance in the home run derby at Yankee Stadium. In spite of the fact that he wasn’t one of ours, we chanted his name repeatedly as he launched ball after ball deep into the right field seats. Josh Hamilton was at the peak of his game.
Over
the last couple of years Hamilton has battled one injury after another,
and as I write this article he is recovering from shoulder surgery. It
is the price a player like Josh must pay
simply because of the way he plays – sacrificing the body for the good
of reaching base or robbing a hitter of a certain double.
Only, the drawback is that those injuries add up and the body no longer performs the way it once could. Suddenly the player is a step slower and the batting average drops while opponents’ outs turn into hits. It weighs on the psyche of someone like Hamilton and obviously opens the door back up to the demons that lie within.
Only, the drawback is that those injuries add up and the body no longer performs the way it once could. Suddenly the player is a step slower and the batting average drops while opponents’ outs turn into hits. It weighs on the psyche of someone like Hamilton and obviously opens the door back up to the demons that lie within.
Many
may look at Hamilton’s transgressions as just another spoiled, rich
athlete who can’t handle his fame. Only, to me this one is different.
As I pointed out, Hamilton has never shied away
from admitting his problems. He doesn’t hide behind lie after lie like
so many former and recent stars do. He recognizes his weaknesses and
genuinely wants to fix them. Having been a fan of his, I know how
deeply he cares for his family and how much he
values his faith.
Yes, he has a rich contract, but he’s used his own monies to create things like the Triple Play Ministries Foundation as well as an orphanage in Uganda. He has a wife and four daughters. In short, he has a life outside of baseball that is bigger – and frankly more important than – the sport.
Yes, he has a rich contract, but he’s used his own monies to create things like the Triple Play Ministries Foundation as well as an orphanage in Uganda. He has a wife and four daughters. In short, he has a life outside of baseball that is bigger – and frankly more important than – the sport.
In an
article by Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Roy Silver – a close friend and mentor of Hamilton’s – says he thinks Josh should retire.
"It
seems like he's struggling with things. When you've been given three,
four and five chances, and it's still not working, it's best to say,
"This is it.'
"His life isn't over, but his baseball career should be.''
"His life isn't over, but his baseball career should be.''
Ultimately,
the decision on what happens going forward is all Hamilton’s. Only he
knows what it will take to battle the disease (yes, these addictions to
alcohol and cocaine are a disease)
during a long baseball season. It’s not something he’ll need to fight
week-to-week. It’s a moment-by-moment battle that will last the rest of
his life and will be littered with temptations every step of the way.
I, for one, would understand if he didn’t
want baseball as an added distraction.
The best part of Josh Hamilton is that, unlike others he’s willing to admit that he’s one of us. He’s human, and has human flaws. He more than welcomes his accountability for those flaws. In this day of half-hearted apologies in front of cameras or in the published media, Hamilton instead simply admits to his setbacks and gets to work on correcting them.
The best part of Josh Hamilton is that, unlike others he’s willing to admit that he’s one of us. He’s human, and has human flaws. He more than welcomes his accountability for those flaws. In this day of half-hearted apologies in front of cameras or in the published media, Hamilton instead simply admits to his setbacks and gets to work on correcting them.
Yes,
this year I’ll be rooting for my Yankees to get back into the
post-season, but I’ll be rooting even harder for Josh Hamilton to get
his life back in order.
After all, baseball is just a game that in the context of life is just a small part. 
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