MLB Notebook: Rangers' Hamilton admits relapse
Share with others:
Texas Rangers outfielder and recovering drug addict Josh Hamilton said Friday that he had a relapse that started with "three or four" drinks at a Dallas-area bar this week, apologizing for a "weak moment" and insisting he will try to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Hamilton, 30, said his actions "are mine that hurt a lot of people very close to me."
Hamilton was suspended for more than three years for drug and alcohol use while in the Tampa Bay organization. He was a former No. 1 overall draft pick who missed the entire 2004 and '05 seasons, but has become one of the best players in baseball on a team that has won the past two American League pennants. He was the AL MVP in '10.
But Hamilton this week had his second known alcohol-related relapse in three years. Both came during the offseason.
In January '09, he drank to excess in a bar in Tempe, Ariz. Before that, Hamilton said he had been sober since October '05.
Without being specific, Hamilton said his weak moment Monday night came for "personal reasons" with a family member. He said he walked to a restaurant to have dinner and ended up ordering "three or four drinks."
Hamilton said he has not taken any drugs, and had no thoughts of doing so. He said he has been tested for drugs twice this week, part of his usual routine. He said he expects to meet soon with Major League Baseball doctors and counselors in New York for an evaluation in his continued recovery.
Hamilton spoke for about 12 minutes without using any prepared notes or taking any questions. Though there were no tears, he struggled with his emotions at times. He closed his eyes at one point, forced a smile at another time.
Tampa defeated pitcher Jeff Niemann in salary arbitration, improving clubs to 2-0 in decisions this year. Niemann will earn $2.75 million instead of his request for $3.2 million, a three-man panel decided. Tampa Bay improved to 6-0 in arbitration. Niemann was 11-7 with a 4.06 ERA in 23 starts last season, when he didn't pitch between May 4 and June 20 because of a strained back. He made $903,000.
Los Angeles agreed to terms with right-handed reliever Todd Coffey on a $1.3 million, one-year contract with a club option for 2013.
First baseman Dan Johnson, whose dramatic home run on the final night of the regular season helped Tampa Bay reach the 2011 playoffs, agreed to a minor league contract with Chicago. He was the International League MVP in '10.
Bobby Cox is returning to the dugout -- but only for one exhibition. The former Braves manager will be back in uniform April 3 to manage the organization's top prospects against the current major leaguers. The game will be played at the home of the Braves' Class AAA Gwinnett team near Atlanta.
Even as he battles an aggressive form of brain cancer, Hall of Famer Gary Carter didn't miss opening day for the college baseball team he coaches. Carter shook hands with each player on the Palm Beach Atlantic University team and watched about three innings of a game in Jupiter, Fla. His players responded with a 3-2 victory against Lynn University.
First Published February 4, 2012 12:17 am
