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Post by bigdave1310 on Feb 2, 2012 23:01:56 GMT -6
Rangers aware of Hamilton drinking reports
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
Thursday, February 2, 2012 9:51 PM CT
ARLINGTON -- The Rangers acknowledged published reports that outfielder Josh Hamilton was seen earlier this week drinking in a Dallas-area bar, but have otherwise declined to comment.
The Dallas Morning News reported that Hamilton was drinking alcohol at a bar on Monday night, although there has been no reports about how much or if he was intoxicated.
"We are aware of a situation, but have no further comment at this time," Rangers vice president of communications John Blake said in an e-mail.
Hamilton missed 3 1/2 seasons in 2003-06 because of a serious battle with drug and alcohol problems. He was reinstated from the suspended list on June 30, 2006. After spending the 2007 season with the Reds, he was acquired by the Rangers that winter.
Hamilton had a relapse three years ago when he was spotted heavily drinking in a Tempe, Ariz., bar a month before Spring Training. Hamilton immediately reported the incident, passed a drug test, underwent counseling and was not disciplined by the Rangers or Major League Baseball. There have been no reported incidents since then.
When Hamilton was acquired from the Reds, the Rangers also hired Johnny Narron to be his mentor and "accountability partner." Narron, who has a long-standing relationship with Hamilton going back to his time growing up in North Carolina, was hired by the Brewers this offseason to be their hitting coach.
The Rangers have not replaced him as far as finding another accountability partner. Hamilton's father-in-law, Michael Dean Chadwick, was hired briefly, but had to step down because of family concerns.
Hamilton is signed for this year for $13.75 million and can be a free agent after the season. The Rangers have been discussing a long-term contract with Hamilton's agent, but this could complicate matters.
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields , and follow him on Twitter @sullivan_Ranger .
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Post by bigdave1310 on Feb 2, 2012 23:10:38 GMT -6
$13-16 million will land a pretty darn good outfielder or a hitting 1st basemen at the end of 2012. I say ride this no good dope head drunkerd this season and let him go we'll get a 1st rounder in free agency. Most people don't get a 1st chance he is on his 10th chance enough already.
Focus our attention on resigning Cruz, Kinsler, and Napoli that plenty of pop. Murphy could be out full time left fielder and we could make due with Martin, Gentry, and Borbone in a platoon role.
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Post by bigdave1310 on Feb 3, 2012 15:35:44 GMT -6
With Hamilton being a big question mark going into next season there's a few names I like that are center fielders that would add a lot to our team. Pagan, Upton, and Bourn. Votto is a possibility seeing the Reds don't wanna go into his contract year without something worked out in advance.
This does mean you'd need to get Napoli and Kinsler rapped up before spring training.
Catchers
Rod Barajas (37) - $3.5MM club option, no buyout
Josh Bard (35)
Henry Blanco (41) - $1.24MM mutual option
Ryan Doumit (32)
Koyie Hill (34)
Chris Iannetta (30) - $5MM club option with a $250K buyout; player can void
Gerald Laird (33)
Russell Martin (30)
Jeff Mathis (30)
Brian McCann (29) - $12MM club option with a $500K buyout
Jose Molina (37) - $1.5MM club option with a $300K buyout
Yadier Molina (30)
Miguel Montero (29)
Mike Napoli (31)
Dioner Navarro (29)
Wil Nieves (35)
Miguel Olivo (34) - $3MM club option with a $750K buyout
Ronny Paulino (32)
A.J. Pierzynski (36)
Humberto Quintero (33)
David Ross (36)
Carlos Ruiz (34) - $5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Brian Schneider (36)
Kelly Shoppach (33)
Chris Snyder (32) - mutual option
Yorvit Torrealba (34)
Matt Treanor (37)
First basemen
Lance Berkman (36)
Jorge Cantu (31)
Jason Giambi (42)
Brad Hawpe (34)
Eric Hinske (35)
Aubrey Huff (36) - $10MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Casey Kotchman (30)
Adam LaRoche (33) - $10MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Carlos Lee (37)
James Loney (29)
Mike Napoli (31)
Lyle Overbay (36)
Carlos Pena (35)
Ty Wigginton (35) - $4MM club option with a $500K buyout
Second basemen
Jeff Baker (32)
Robinson Cano (30) - $15MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Carlos Guillen (37)
Orlando Hudson (35) - $8MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Maicer Izturis (32)
Kelly Johnson (31)
Adam Kennedy (37)
Jeff Keppinger (33)
Ian Kinsler (31) - $10MM club option with a $500K buyout
Jose Lopez (29)
Brandon Phillips (32)
Freddy Sanchez (35)
Ryan Theriot (33)
Shortstops
Erick Aybar (29)
Jason Bartlett (33) - $5.5MM club option with a $1.5MM buyout; vests with 432 PAs in 2012
Yuniesky Betancourt (31)
Geoff Blum (39)
Ronny Cedeno (30)
Stephen Drew (30) - $10MM mutual option with a $1.35MM buyout
Alex Gonzalez (35) - vesting option
Cesar Izturis (33)
Jhonny Peralta (31) - $6MM club option with a $500K buyout
Marco Scutaro (37)
Ryan Theriot (33)
Omar Vizquel (46)
Jack Wilson (35)
Third basemen
Casey Blake (39)
Geoff Blum (39)
Miguel Cairo (39)
Jorge Cantu (31)
Mark DeRosa (38)
Brandon Inge (36) - $6MM club option with a $500K buyout
Maicer Izturis (32)
Chipper Jones (41) - $7MM vesting/club option
Jose Lopez (29)
Placido Polanco (37) - $5.5MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Mark Reynolds (29) - $11MM club option with a $500K buyout
Scott Rolen (38)
Ty Wigginton (35) - $4MM club option with a $500K buyout
David Wright (30) - $16MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Kevin Youkilis (34) - $13MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Left fielders
Jack Cust (34) - $1MM club option
Jonny Gomes (32)
Scott Hairston (33)
Josh Hamilton (32)
Willie Harris (35)
Eric Hinske (35)
Reed Johnson (36)
Andruw Jones (36)
Austin Kearns (33)
Mark Kotsay (37)
Carlos Lee (37)
Ryan Ludwick (34) - mutual option for 2013
Juan Pierre (35)
Juan Rivera (34) - $4MM club option for 2013 with a $500K buyout
Delmon Young (27)
Center fielders
Alfredo Amezaga (35)
Michael Bourn (30)
Marlon Byrd (35)
Melky Cabrera (28)
Mike Cameron (40)
Curtis Granderson (32) - $13MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Scott Hairston (33)
Angel Pagan (31)
Corey Patterson (33)
Cody Ross (32)
Aaron Rowand (35)
Grady Sizemore (30)
Ryan Spilborghs (33)
B.J. Upton (28)
Shane Victorino (32)
Right fielders
Lance Berkman (36)
Matt Diaz (35)
Andre Ethier (31)
Willie Harris (35)
Brad Hawpe (34)
Torii Hunter (37)
Andruw Jones (36)
Mark Kotsay (37)
Ryan Ludwick (34) - mutual option for 2013
Carlos Quentin (30)
Juan Rivera (34) - $4MM club option for 2013 with a $500K buyout
Cody Ross (32)
Ryan Spilborghs (33)
Ichiro Suzuki (39)
Nick Swisher (32)
Designated hitters
Bobby Abreu (39)
Edwin Encarnacion (30)
Travis Hafner (36) - $13MM club option with a $2.75MM buyout
David Ortiz (38)
Luke Scott (35) - $6MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Jim Thome (42)
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Post by Sideshow Bob on Feb 6, 2012 11:40:08 GMT -6
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Post by mexicanjunior on Feb 6, 2012 12:03:00 GMT -6
Wow...does this mean Rangers can have champagne in post series celebrations again? |
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Post by Sideshow Bob on Feb 6, 2012 13:19:18 GMT -6
Wow...does this mean Rangers can have champagne in post series celebrations again? without hamilton, will there even BE any post-series celebrations anymore? |
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Post by bigdave1310 on Feb 6, 2012 21:30:53 GMT -6
Cut bait $13 million can be use to resign Kinsler, Napoli, and Cruz. We signed Conner Jackson to a minor league contract today he can play either corner position in the outfield and first. Same goes with Moreland he could start in the outfield.
The only none replaceable players on this roster Feliz, Elvis, Profar, and Perez at this point. No one else has that age and talent mixture they have.
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Post by bigdave1310 on Feb 9, 2012 18:22:04 GMT -6
why is Hamilton still here? Cut bait move forward he can on sink this ship.
Rangers hire assistant to be Hamilton's mentor
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 8:06 PM CT
FORT WORTH -- The Rangers have hired Shayne Kelley, a longtime college baseball assistant coach and former strength coach in the Royals' Minor League system, to be a Major League staff assistant and the key person in Josh Hamilton's support system.
Kelley was hired after an extensive search that drew interest nationwide. He was recommended by Hamilton's agent, Michael Moye, and Rangers vice-president Chuck Morgan, whose son knew Kelley from their days together at the University of Alabama.
"We talked to a few people, but Shayne was at the top of our list," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "We had more interest in this position from people reaching out all over the country than all other positions combined since I have been here."
The Rangers were in the process of making a decision when Hamilton had a second relapse in his recovery from drugs and alcohol last week. Hamilton admitted to drinking in a Dallas bar last Monday but has not tested positive for drugs.
Kelley accompanied Hamilton to New York on Monday to be examined by doctors from Major League Baseball and the Players Association. Major League Baseball has not made a decision if Hamilton will be disciplined for what could be viewed as a violation of the terms for reinstatement from previous suspensions. He was not suspended after his first relapse in January of 2009. He missed 3 1/2 years in 2003-06 because of an ongoing addiction to drugs and alcohol.
"I haven't talked to anybody yet from Major League Baseball," Daniels said. "We'll defer to them."
Kelley replaces Johnny Narron, who filled the role of Hamilton's accountability partner since the Rangers acquired him from the Reds four years ago. Narron was hired earlier in the offseason by the Brewers to be their assistant hitting coach.
Like Narron, Kelley has an extensive baseball background and will be able to help the Major League staff in other areas.
Kelley was assistant baseball coach and team chaplain for the University of Alabama from 1996-99 and a Minor League strength and conditioning coach for the Royals from 1999-2001. He was also an assistant baseball coach at two other universities in Alabama: Samford and Jacksonville State. He spent last season as a high school baseball coach.
The term "accountability partner" has been used to describe this position but Daniels said that's misleading.
"I don't know where that came from ... Josh is accountable for himself," Daniels said. "Our aim is to support him and put him in a position to succeed. If you hire an interpreter for somebody, the guy is still responsible for what he says. Josh is still accountable for himself.
"Shayne has been a hitting coach, a strength coach, you do a lot of different things at the collegiate level. He'll be able to help the staff in a lot of different ways in addition to being there for Josh."
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Post by Sideshow Bob on Feb 10, 2012 8:28:15 GMT -6
Now they're saying on The Ticket that Hamilton actually lied about drinking to cover for having bathroom stall sex with some random bar slut - reason being, he would be more easily forgiven for tearing up some chick if he was drunk when he did it.
BIG.
BLOW.
THE LID OFF.
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Post by bigdave1310 on Feb 10, 2012 14:37:20 GMT -6
Guess Josh's version of 'I am second" is now the backdoor in a Sherlock bathroom on a bar slut. Tires of him hiding behind God.
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