Los Angeles Angels outfielder, Josh Hamilton, admitted an offseason, cocaine and alcohol relapse to MLB officials, Wednesday.
Hamilton voluntarily submitted this information to officials in a private meeting earlier this week, knowing he’d fail his drug test that it is administered three times a week via the requirements of his reinstatement back in 2006. The once MVP is, sadly, no stranger to substance abuse. He was suspended from the minor leagues for substance use from 2004 -06 and has relapsed three times since 2009. Twice when he was with the Texas Rangers.
The Angels, who signed Hamilton briefly before the 2013 season, (five-years, $125 million) say they’re just as out of the loop as every other inquiring mind. “We’re all waiting for some information to come out of New York,” says manager, Mike Scioscia. “…right now, we’re just in a holding pattern like everyone else.” His penalty has yet to be announced, but Fox Sports correspondents, Ken Rosenthal and John Paul Morosi, say it could tally up to at least 25 games for the 2015 season. Of course, this would only add to the games he’d miss as he just underwent shoulder surgery that will have him out for about two months, anyway. Oddly, the Angels allowed Hamilton to stay at a friend’s home in Houston during his recovering stage, when (usually) players stay with their team. The team is currently in Arizona for spring training. No reports have insinuated that the relapse and him staying at a friend’s place correlate, but I’m thinking the MLB will tighten up on player location rules within the upcoming season.
Hamilton, nor his agent have commented on the matter.
Sources Cited:
Josh Hamilton suffered Relapse: ESPN.com News Services
Report: Josh Hamilton likely to be suspended ‘at least 25 games’: Mike Oz, Yahoo Sports
