Josh Hamilton meets with MLB officials about a disciplinary issue

[Turd Ferguson]

So how is an 80-game suspension for recreational drugs "worse" than a PED suspension, as others have reported.  Something doesn't add up here.  Methinks there is much more to this.

[Jobu]

It can't be changed. The players would just pout and go on strike. Unions are horrible things.

It's ridiculous that a group of immensely talented people would use the value of their skill as leverage to negotiate beneficial financial compensation. The very nerve.

[eaterfan]

It can't be changed. The players would just pout and go on strike. Unions are horrible things.

And defense attorneys are terrible things until they're your attorney.

Edited February 25, 2015 by eaterfan

[Oz27]

So how is an 80-game suspension for recreational drugs "worse" than a PED suspension, as others have reported.  Something doesn't add up here.  Methinks there is much more to this.

Yeah, exactly. That Rosenthal thing makes me think it has to be worse than a drug relapse. And the only things that are worse than that are pretty horrific.

[Tank]

from roy firestone on facebook:

 

"Josh Hamilton is about to be suspended by MLB and reports are it's NOT about PEDS. If it IS about a drug related relapse this would be a terribly sad and tragic development. Hamilton disclosed a "fall" about three years ago during the offseason. If Hamilton is disciplined for drug use, it would be much worse than for PEDs and a life hangs in the balance, and we aren't talking about a baseball life."

[tdawg87]

Why does anyone need an accountability person? Shouldn't we all just be accountable for ourselves? Angels FO is not to blame for Hamilton's errors...Hamilton is.

 

This is like saying people with mental issues should just help themselves instead of seeking therapy. Addiction is a serious issue and most, if not all people who suffer from it need help getting and staying over it.

[gotbeer]

Question:  is it normal for players to meet with MLB execs in New York over suspensions of 80 games?

 

Yes.  Players have a right to appeal, and see the evidence against them.  It may not always be in New York.  But there is a meeting.

[eaterfan]

So how is an 80-game suspension for recreational drugs "worse" than a PED suspension, as others have reported. Something doesn't add up here. Methinks there is much more to this.

For a guy who is addicted to dangerous drugs that cause terrible bodily harm taking them is worse than a little HGH.

[mp170.6]

Does the collective bargaining agreement address penalties for felony convictions? 

 

Just because I couldn't locate criminal charges doesn't mean he wasn't charged, convicted, or plead guilty to something.  That's the only thing that makes sense if drugs aren't involved. 

[gotbeer]

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.

 

This sounds more correct.  Just because it's in the current language, doesn't mean that it carries over.  (see Arod)  

 

I just hope the dude gets help.  It's one thing to be a PED user.  Hate those guys, and the penalties are not harsh enough.  But he has some serious demons chasing him.  The worse thing that MLB can do is turn their backs on him.  Because baseball aside, he needs help.

[mp170.6]

Yes.  Players have a right to appeal, and see the evidence against them.  It may not always be in New York.  But there is a meeting.

 

So this meeting could actually be before an arbitrator then...

[Erstad Grit]

This is like saying people with mental issues should just help themselves instead of seeking therapy. Addiction is a serious issue and most, if not all people who suffer from it need help getting and staying over it.

 

Hamilton is / was paid well enough to afford his own accountability partner. 

[Glen]

I understand those saying Hamilton needs help and I agree with them, but damn...how much help does MLB have to give him? At some point he has to get the help on his own.

[mp170.6]

Hamilton is / was paid well enough to afford his own accountability partner. 

 

That's not the point I was making. 

 

He should have one regardless.  If someone was paid $100K a season to follow Hamilton around and keep him away from drugs, that's chump change in the context of a five year, $125 million contract. 

[Docwaukee]

That's not the point I was making. 

 

He should have one regardless.  If someone was paid $100K a season to follow Hamilton around and keep him away from drugs, that's chump change in the context of a five year, $125 million contract. 

how do we know that the halos didn't try and the mlbpa made it up to the player and it couldn't be in the contract?  

[Angels Never Die]

So how is an 80-game suspension for recreational drugs "worse" than a PED suspension, as others have reported.  Something doesn't add up here.  Methinks there is much more to this.

 

He may not have meant "worse" in terms of number of games suspended, but in another sense.

[HaloCory22]

Looks like Grant Green just caught his break! Our starting LFer! Good job, Scotty!

[gotbeer]

So this meeting could actually be before an arbitrator then...

 

Judging by how the Angels have acted.  It sounds like this might be the end of the process.  Especially if a suspension is about to come down.

[Chuck]

While I'm frustrated with his performance on the field (yes I voted him as the most frustrating Angel on our recent poll), addictions are real and we're all subject to slip up every now and then. I feel bad for him and his family.

[nando714]

Now I know why arte kept from spending that 15m this offseason.

Gotta find a LFer now

[tdawg87]

Hamilton is / was paid well enough to afford his own accountability partner. 

 

That's fine. And I agree. But that doesn't mean he doesn't need an accountability partner, as the post I was replying to implied.

[Mile High Dreams]

So let's say he is suspended...when does that suspension start? When he comes off DL? or While he is on DL?

[Turd Ferguson]

For a guy who is addicted to dangerous drugs that cause terrible bodily harm taking them is worse than a little HGH.

 

I appreciate that, and I agree.  I guess I interpreted those reports as coming more from a baseball perspective then a human perspective.  From a baseball perspective, given the penalties discussed on this board, a suspension for recreational drug use doesn't seem as severe as for PEDs (which is a bit ironic in and of itself).  

 

Regardless, I get the feeling from the tenor of these reports that Josh will be away from the team for more than 80 games--whether that is by suspension imposed by MLB or by Josh voluntarily.  And that seems to be in the best interest of both team and player.

[nando714]

That's fine. And I agree. But that doesn't mean he doesn't need an accountability partner, as the post I was replying to implied.

the angels are idiots here.

You're forking over 30m a yr for a guy who needs a damn babysitter. Did they think about any of this?

[FabulousFabregas]

Jose Mota and Roger Lodge analyzing this right now on AM830.