Josh Hamilton’s father-in-law won’t be his accountability partner this season after all.
Michael Dean Chadwick, who was slated to work with the Texas Rangers All-Star this season, has decided to remain in North Carolina because of family considerations.
Chadwick still has a daughter in high school and was going to make the Texas road trips with Hamilton.
The Hamiltons and Rangers have started to consider other options, but nothing has been determined yet.
Hamilton has had someone serve in the role since he broke into the majors in 2007. The former first-overall pick in the 1999 draft had substance-abuse problems, which led to him being suspended from baseball in 2004.
Hamilton talked about the role last weekend at FanFest and reiterated that he didn’t know if he needed someone to fill that role.
“I’ve talked about it before,” Hamilton said Saturday. “When Johnny (Narron) left I didn’t feel like I needed anybody, don’t feel like I need anybody. But I’ve said if it gives the Rangers’ organization confidence in me and major league baseball confidence in me to have somebody then I’m all for putting them kind of at ease.”
Chadwick was to fill the role of Narron, who took on that role when Hamilton was with Cincinnati in 2007 and then came with him to the Rangers when Hamilton was traded to Texas.
Chadwick was to go to the ballpark with Hamilton on road trips, leave the park with him and spend time with him on the off days. He would have a room next to Hamilton on the road and also conduct Bible study with Hamilton.
Narron left the Texas organization following the 2011 season to become the hitting coach for Milwaukee.
