Almost without exception, this column begins with the words “how in the world.” Today’s subject demands a great deal of care to avoid appearing judgemental.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton has pit his team between a rock and a hard place these days. His drug use, specifically alcohol and cocaine, has been well documented here in the Information Age. First as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays, then as a Texas Ranger, Hamilton has come close to losing his baseball career more than once.
With that combination, it’s possible at some point in time his life may have been in peril. Whether the public has a right to that information is a debate for another day in someone else’s column.
From a business perspective, the Angels knew what they were getting into when they signed Hamilton to a five-year, $125 million contract two offseasons ago. Since signing the deal, Hamilton has been less than healthy on several occasions and when he has played, frankly he’s not been worth $2,083,333 a month. Or if you prefer, the $3.125 million a month for the eight months a year baseball players would be playing, including all of October.
And when they signed Hamilton, the Angels had every intent of playing in the tenth month of the year. Signing an All-Star from a division rival’s roster goes a long way to that end.
So when Hamilton self-reported his drug use in February, the Angel front office had every right to be ticked off at him. Everyone involved agrees it’s a good thing that he said something before failing a drug test. Those closest to the player characterized the incident as more of a slip-up, rather than a relapse.
There’s also a public outcry over Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto statements after a four-person Major League Baseball arbitration board could not decide whether or not to suspend Hamilton for 80 games without pay for violating the sport’s drug policy.
Dipoto has to find that place between thinking of the company he works for and its product, and concern for another human being.
"Do I agree with the decision made by the treatment board? Absolutely not," Dipoto told Mike Digiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. "This is a disappointing moment, make no mistake.
“We have a responsibility to the human being. We also have a responsibility to the product on the field, the organization, the fan base, the industry. It's a complicated web."
Several Angels have said they’re disappointed in the comments of Dipoto and others in the team’s hierarchy. Of course, they’d like to see the team pay the full contract even if Hamilton never plays again.
I’m reminded of Darrell Porter, a catcher who played primarily for the Brewers, Royals and Cardinals. In 1980 Porter spend several months in rehabilitation for cocaine addiction, and came back to help the Royals reach the World Series.
Porter followed Whitey Herzog to St. Louis where he was the Most Valuable Player in the 1982 Series. Porter would go on to play in another Series, against the Royals in 1985.
In 1984 he released “Snap Me Perfect! The Darrell Porter Story,” a book about overcoming addiction and the restoration of his baseball career.
After his playing days, Porter was an in-demand speaker, particularly at Christian functions with recovering addicts in attendance.
On August 5, 2002 Porter was found dead near his car in Sugar Creek, Mo., a suburb of Kansas City. An autopsy revealed an amount of cocaine in his system consistent with recreational use.
The point is yes, there is a moral obligation to give a crap about Hamilton as a human being. His team does. His teammates do.
There is zero doubt in my mind Hamilton knows quite well he’ll deal with this addiction for the rest of his days. Like everyone else, some days will be better than others.
Addiction is tough to understand. I’ve dealt with it in my own life, but nowhere near to the level Hamilton has. I do know if recovery were as simple as “just stop doing that,” there would be no need for ways to cope with drugs, alcohol, or a seemingly infinite number of other issues.
Those among us who have dealt first hand with addiction or addicts know it affects so much more than just the user.
So don’t be mad at Dipoto or the Angel organization. It’s my prayer Hamilton will be well enough that the team isn’t forced to make a difficult decision regarding the future of a star outfielder.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton has pit his team between a rock and a hard place these days. His drug use, specifically alcohol and cocaine, has been well documented here in the Information Age. First as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays, then as a Texas Ranger, Hamilton has come close to losing his baseball career more than once.
With that combination, it’s possible at some point in time his life may have been in peril. Whether the public has a right to that information is a debate for another day in someone else’s column.
From a business perspective, the Angels knew what they were getting into when they signed Hamilton to a five-year, $125 million contract two offseasons ago. Since signing the deal, Hamilton has been less than healthy on several occasions and when he has played, frankly he’s not been worth $2,083,333 a month. Or if you prefer, the $3.125 million a month for the eight months a year baseball players would be playing, including all of October.
And when they signed Hamilton, the Angels had every intent of playing in the tenth month of the year. Signing an All-Star from a division rival’s roster goes a long way to that end.
So when Hamilton self-reported his drug use in February, the Angel front office had every right to be ticked off at him. Everyone involved agrees it’s a good thing that he said something before failing a drug test. Those closest to the player characterized the incident as more of a slip-up, rather than a relapse.
There’s also a public outcry over Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto statements after a four-person Major League Baseball arbitration board could not decide whether or not to suspend Hamilton for 80 games without pay for violating the sport’s drug policy.
Dipoto has to find that place between thinking of the company he works for and its product, and concern for another human being.
"Do I agree with the decision made by the treatment board? Absolutely not," Dipoto told Mike Digiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. "This is a disappointing moment, make no mistake.
“We have a responsibility to the human being. We also have a responsibility to the product on the field, the organization, the fan base, the industry. It's a complicated web."
Several Angels have said they’re disappointed in the comments of Dipoto and others in the team’s hierarchy. Of course, they’d like to see the team pay the full contract even if Hamilton never plays again.
I’m reminded of Darrell Porter, a catcher who played primarily for the Brewers, Royals and Cardinals. In 1980 Porter spend several months in rehabilitation for cocaine addiction, and came back to help the Royals reach the World Series.
Porter followed Whitey Herzog to St. Louis where he was the Most Valuable Player in the 1982 Series. Porter would go on to play in another Series, against the Royals in 1985.
In 1984 he released “Snap Me Perfect! The Darrell Porter Story,” a book about overcoming addiction and the restoration of his baseball career.
After his playing days, Porter was an in-demand speaker, particularly at Christian functions with recovering addicts in attendance.
On August 5, 2002 Porter was found dead near his car in Sugar Creek, Mo., a suburb of Kansas City. An autopsy revealed an amount of cocaine in his system consistent with recreational use.
The point is yes, there is a moral obligation to give a crap about Hamilton as a human being. His team does. His teammates do.
There is zero doubt in my mind Hamilton knows quite well he’ll deal with this addiction for the rest of his days. Like everyone else, some days will be better than others.
Addiction is tough to understand. I’ve dealt with it in my own life, but nowhere near to the level Hamilton has. I do know if recovery were as simple as “just stop doing that,” there would be no need for ways to cope with drugs, alcohol, or a seemingly infinite number of other issues.
Those among us who have dealt first hand with addiction or addicts know it affects so much more than just the user.
So don’t be mad at Dipoto or the Angel organization. It’s my prayer Hamilton will be well enough that the team isn’t forced to make a difficult decision regarding the future of a star outfielder.