Josh Hamilton meets with MLB officials about a disciplinary issue

[mulwin444]

So, the dude was suspended for a year at one point...how does this add up to a 80 game suspension now?  Following the policy, he should be gone for two years.

[NrM]

 

During Spring Training of the 2003 season, Hamilton failed his first drug test. At the start of the 2003 season, Hamilton showed up late several times during spring training and was reassigned to the team's minor league camp. He left the team and resurfaced several times, but eventually took the rest of the season off for personal reasons. Hamilton was hoping to return to spring training with the Devil Rays in 2004, but he was suspended 30 days and fined for violating the drug policy put in place by MLB. Because of the length of his suspension, and the terms of the drug policy, Hamilton could have failed two or more drug tests after being put into the program. A "failed" test is one in which there is a positive result for a drug more severe than marijuana.^[14] A month later, MLB suspended him for the entire season after he failed two more tests.^[15][16]

Hamilton was out of baseball for almost three years. He made several attempts at rehabilitation, and started off the 2005 season with hopes of being a star major league outfielder. However, he was arrested before the season for smashing the windshield of a friend's truck. The Rays placed him on the restricted list, moving him off the 40-man roster. After another relapse, MLB suspended him for the entire 2006 season.^[16]

 

 

so umm sounds like a MLB ban to me.

[mp170.6]

Yes there was. Problem is it was Tony Phillips

 

Heh, good one.  Seriously though, he had no accountability person since coming to the Angels, right? 

 

If so, Moreno/DiPoto/Scioscia are to blame for not insisting on one.

[VariousCrap]

 

During Spring Training of the 2003 season, Hamilton failed his first drug test. At the start of the 2003 season, Hamilton showed up late several times during spring training and was reassigned to the team's minor league camp. He left the team and resurfaced several times, but eventually took the rest of the season off for personal reasons. Hamilton was hoping to return to spring training with the Devil Rays in 2004, but he was suspended 30 days and fined for violating the drug policy put in place by MLB. Because of the length of his suspension, and the terms of the drug policy, Hamilton could have failed two or more drug tests after being put into the program. A "failed" test is one in which there is a positive result for a drug more severe than marijuana.^[14] A month later, MLB suspended him for the entire season after he failed two more tests.^[15][16]

Hamilton was out of baseball for almost three years. He made several attempts at rehabilitation, and started off the 2005 season with hopes of being a star major league outfielder. However, he was arrested before the season for smashing the windshield of a friend's truck. The Rays placed him on the restricted list, moving him off the 40-man roster. After another relapse, MLB suspended him for the entire 2006 season.^[16]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Based on all of that and what DiGiovanna tweeted, this could be the final nail in the Josh Hamilton baseball career coffin.

[stevestevens]

 

During Spring Training of the 2003 season, Hamilton failed his first drug test. At the start of the 2003 season, Hamilton showed up late several times during spring training and was reassigned to the team's minor league camp. He left the team and resurfaced several times, but eventually took the rest of the season off for personal reasons. Hamilton was hoping to return to spring training with the Devil Rays in 2004, but he was suspended 30 days and fined for violating the drug policy put in place by MLB. Because of the length of his suspension, and the terms of the drug policy, Hamilton could have failed two or more drug tests after being put into the program. A "failed" test is one in which there is a positive result for a drug more severe than marijuana.^[14] A month later, MLB suspended him for the entire season after he failed two more tests.^[15][16]

Hamilton was out of baseball for almost three years. He made several attempts at rehabilitation, and started off the 2005 season with hopes of being a star major league outfielder. However, he was arrested before the season for smashing the windshield of a friend's truck. The Rays placed him on the restricted list, moving him off the 40-man roster. After another relapse, MLB suspended him for the entire 2006 season.^[16]

 

 

Hamilton is done.  

[tdawg87]

Pujols' contract actually might look pretty decent when compared to the Hampocalypse.

[Chris]

good thing we traded for Joyce for LF (sorry Jeppy) and CJ Cron is ready to man DH

[Blarg]

This is the most the words "Hamilton" and "offense" have been used together on this board for a couple of years.

 

But not Hamilton and offensive.

[Richard]

Hackleton is  Finished.  

 

 

- Angel Oracle

Edited February 25, 2015 by Richard

[mp170.6]

Yeah that makes zero sense to me. Unless the drug policy is completely different than it was 10 years ago.

 

I wonder if they grandfather punishments to prior offenders based on the policy at the time of their last violation? 

[VariousCrap]

According to a Mike DiGiovanna article, Hamilton's 2009 and 2012 relapses did count as offenses under the current drug policy. Only his 2003 and 2005 ones do.

 

So at a minimum, this would mean an 80 game suspension.

[Sherlock31]

So this is how the 2015 season start.........................XXXXxxx Hamilton..............

[Lhalo]

The only thing is, I highly doubt they ban him or even suspend him for an entire year. Since he has fought so hard to be sober for so long I bet they go easy on him.

 

That would open up a Pandora's box of issues for the league's credibility though.

[ukyah]

"There is no language in the contract protecting the Angels from a relapse involving drugs or alcohol. But Hamilton must undergo three drug tests per week, and he is subject to penalties under baseball's joint drug program should he test positive."

 

i didn't think he'd be the hot mess he has been for us, but i never understood not having drug language in the contract. that always seemed needlessly wreckless. you offered him the biggest contract, he was going to sign it no matter what drug language you inserted.

[beatlesrule]

The only thing is, I highly doubt they ban him or even suspend him for an entire year. Since he has fought so hard to be sober for so long I bet they go easy on him.

The new commish could certainly make Hamilton an example though.  I hope you are wrong about MLB going easy on him.

[Troll Daddy]

Now Morenos's comment makes a little more sense when he said 'interesting'.

[VariousCrap]

Here is the article I mentioned:

 

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-josh-hamilton-20150224-story.html

 

 

Hamilton, the first pick of the 1999 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, suffered alcohol relapses in 2009 and 2012, but those transgressions did not count as offenses under the current drug policy. One condition of Hamilton’s reinstatement was that he be tested for drugs three times a week.

 

[mtangelsfan]

"There is no language in the contract protecting the Angels from a relapse involving drugs or alcohol. But Hamilton must undergo three drug tests per week, and he is subject to penalties under baseball's joint drug program should he test positive."

 

i didn't think he'd be the hot mess he has been for us, but i never understood not having drug language in the contract. that always seemed needlessly wreckless. you offered him the biggest contract, he was going to sign it no matter what drug language you inserted.

 

Because the collective bargaining agreement doesn't allow them to.

[T.G.]

I feel bad for his kids. 

[Lhalo]

I feel bad for his kids. 

 

Their parents are going to be on the Real Housewives. There isn't really much chance for them anyway.

[VariousCrap]

I feel bad for his kids. 

 

 

 

Same here.  I don't give a shit about the fact he has sucked in an Angels uniform, the man has kids and this will not be easy on anyone.  Family is way more important than baseball.

[Blarg]

I was surprised Moreno took a chance on Hamilton. I would not be surprised if he releases him and eats the contract. 

[Glen]

I predict there will be deep discounts on Hamilton jerseys at the team store.

[mp170.6]

For what it's worth, I just checked and Hamilton has no criminal charges (drug or otherwise) pending at the FEDERAL level.  I didn't feel like paying for an Orange County Superior Court name search, so all I could check was the calendar for the next 7 weeks.  Again, no charges pending. 

 

I guess this is a good thing. 

[Jay]

Their parents are going to be on the Real Housewives. There isn't really much chance for them anyway.