I was going to write something about the Orange County Angels' response to the Josh Hamilton decision, but now I don't have to because Yahoo!'s Tim Brown wrote my something already.
First, there was MLB's official statement, which, while not particularly constructive, at least didn't seem actually destructive. Ah, but then the Angels followed up with a public statement of their own. A couple of statements, actually, which ... well, let's just say that both lack a certain amount of grace.
First, the official statement signed by GM Jerry Dipoto...
The Office of the Commissioner informed the Angels that an arbitrator determined Josh Hamilton’s recent conduct did not violate his treatment program under MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, and therefore the Commissioner is not permitted to suspend or otherwise discipline Hamilton. The Club had no involvement in the proceeding or the ruling.
The Angels have serious concerns about Josh’s conduct, health and behavior and we are disappointed that he has broken an important commitment which he made to himself, his family, his teammates and our fans. We are going to do everything possible to assure he receives proper help for himself and for the well-being of his family.
... and next, by Angels president John Scarpino: "It defies logic that Josh's reported behavior is not a violation of his drug progam."
Uh, no. What defies logic is that Scarpino would describe it as Josh's drug program, rather than MLB's drug program which has been collectively bargained. What defies logic is that the Angels, with a bunch of years and dollars left on Hamilton's contract, wouldn't publicly support him at this moment, however disappointed they might be, privately. And you know what really defies logic? That any team would have signed a player like Josh Hamilton to a five-year, $125 million contract. I mean, you want to talk about logic?
When an addict backslides, everybody wants to talk about accountability. Fair enough. But where is the accountability when a baseball organization, just loaded with smart and successful people, blows one like this?
Anyway, here's Tim Brown:
No matter how one defines addiction – and the Angels’ blind belief in Hamilton two years ago in spite of a history of unsettling incidents might even qualify – the organization’s reaction Friday was heartless, mean-spirited and unnecessary.
And, ultimately, it changes nothing, because the facts are that Hamilton needs help personally and professionally, and just because the Angels said what they said out loud doesn’t alter what he probably already knew – the Angels seem to prefer he’d go away. He’s not the player he was with the Texas Rangers, he’s got another $83 million coming over the next three years and the addiction didn’t magically go away because the Angels hoped it would.
Spot on, Mr. Brown. Let's not hold our breaths until the Angels own their poor decisions.
