Josh Hamilton and MLB’s Joint Drug Agreement
Wednesday’s news that Josh Hamilton could be facing an imminent suspension from Major League Baseball has set off a wave of speculation regarding not only the possible cause of the suspension, but also its potential length. Given Hamilton’s history, some have assumed he may have had a relapse of his earlier substance-abuse problems, triggering a possible suspension under MLB’s Joint Drug Agreement (JDA).
Although we presently have very little concrete information regarding Hamilton’s situation, here is what we do know: Mike DiGiovanna broke the news on Wednesday afternoon that Hamilton was in New York City meeting with MLB officials regarding a potential suspension. Ken Rosenthal reported later that, according to an unnamed baseball executive, Hamilton’s transgression was “worse” than a performance enhancing drug (PED) violation.
More alleged details emerged Wednesday evening, with Jon Heyman reporting Hamilton had confessed to a drug relapse involving “at least cocaine.” Heyman went on to report that Hamilton would be placed in MLB’s drug-treatment program as a first-time violator.
Despite these reports, it’s important to remember we don’t know what, if anything, Hamilton has actually done. Many speculated last year that former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington had stepped down from his position due to a drug relapse, when in reality the decision was motivated by an entirely different set of factors.
With that said, if the initial reports prove correct, and Hamilton did in fact have a relapse of his substance abuse problems, then his punishment would be governed by MLB’s JDA. Although the JDA is most often applied in cases of alleged PED violations, it also governs the use of “drugs of abuse,” including marijuana, cocaine, LSD and heroin.
Under the JDA, the first time a player is suspected of having used a drug of abuse, he’s referred to a treatment board, which conducts an initial evaluation of the player to determine whether he’ll be placed in MLB’s drug treatment program. If the player is placed in the treatment program, the board then will devise an initial course of treatment for the player, ranging from counseling and treatment to follow-up drug testing.
Should the player fail to follow his specified treatment program, he will then be subject to punishment under Section 7.D of the JDA. That provision specifies an escalating scale of possible discipline, ranging from a 15- to 25-game suspension for the first offense to at least a season-long suspension for the fourth offense. Any subsequent offenses would be subject to a punishment determined by the commissioner. (Meanwhile, if the player were to actually be convicted of a drug offense in a court of law, then his suspension would be determined under Section 7.E of the JDA.)
In the case of Hamilton, he originally entered MLB’s drug treatment program following an initial failed drug test in spring training in 2003. He subsequently violated his treatment program four times, resulting in the imposition of a season-long suspension in 2004.
So if Hamilton suffered a recent relapse, that would be the fifth violation of his treatment program. In that case, under the JDA, he would be subject to punishment at the discretion of the commissioner. This would seem to be consistent with the reports that Hamilton was meeting with MLB officials in New York on Wednesday.
Under Section 7.D, the commissioner has the discretion to impose whatever level of punishment he feels is appropriate. The provision does suggest, though, that the “level of the discipline will be determined consistent with the concept of progressive discipline.” So in other words, the punishment for a fifth violation should be determined in light of the escalating scale laid out above, meaning a fifth offense would normally result in a suspension of at least a year, if not longer.
This makes Jon Heyman’s report that Hamilton will be treated as a first-time offender under MLB’s drug program somewhat curious. While Hamilton was in the minor leagues during his earlier transgressions back in the early-2000s, he had already been placed on Tampa Bay’s 40-man roster by the time he failed his first drug test in 2003. (Hamilton was subsequently removed from the Rays’ 40-man roster following the year-long suspension, leading to him famously being drafted in the 2006 Rule 5 draft.)
Because Hamilton was on the 40-man roster in 2003, his earlier violations would have been subject to MLB’s drug policy, meaning any subsequent transgressions would normally be subject to the escalating scale of punishment set forth in Section 7.D. So if Hamilton did in fact recently have a relapse, it seems strange that he would now be treated as a first-time offender under the JDA, or that he would be subjected to a punishment significantly less severe than the season-long suspension he served back in 2004.
That been said, though, any discipline would come at the discretion of the commissioner. So it’s possible Rob Manfred could decide to treat a possible new violation by Hamilton more leniently than normal under the JDA. For instance, aside from a minor alcohol-related slip-up back in 2012, Hamilton appears to have avoided a drug-related relapse for nearly a decade. Hamilton has also notably traveled with an “accountability partner” for the better part of the last 10 years to help avoid possible temptations on the road, showing that he has taken his recovery seriously.
Moreover, according to Heyman, Hamilton’s most recent transgression did not involve a failed drug test, but rather was discovered when Hamilton himself brought the information to MLB’s attention. Given that information, Manfred could quite reasonably determine Hamilton deserves a lesser punishment than someone would normally receive under the JDA.
Again, though, this all assumes the initial rumors that Hamilton has had a drug relapse are correct. Should these rumors ultimately prove false, and Hamilton is in fact facing possible discipline for a non-drug-related offense, then his potential punishment would raise an entirely different host of issues under MLB’s collective bargaining agreement.
Nathaniel Grow is an Associate Professor of Business Law and Ethics and the Yormark Family Director of the Sports Industry Workshop at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. He is the author of Baseball on Trial: The Origin of Baseball's Antitrust Exemption, as well as a number of sports-related law review articles. You can follow him on Twitter @NathanielGrow. The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not express the views or opinions of Indiana University.
My comment has nothing to do with Hamilton. Given that marijuana is now legal in 3 states and in DC, seems odd that MLB’s drug policy bans that but does not ban alcohol. Trust me, tequila is much worse…
Marijuana is still illegal at federal level, so even in the 3 states where it is legal, it is still illegal.
Also (at least in Colorado), your employer can still drug test you for pot and discipline you for it.
A lot of things are illegal at the federal level that don’t result in automatic suspensions by an employer (e.g. failing to report all of your income on your taxes… and I assume a lot of baseball players get plenty of off-the-books cash for autographs, without risking suspension). MLB could take the position that you take your chances with the feds if you choose to use marijuana, but MLB is not going to suspend you for it. Employers should not turn themselves into the police.
Ageed as far as marijuana goes. User-level amounts of marijuana are legal or nearly-legal (e.g. eentially non-criminal, “violation” level offenses akin to traffic tickets) in many states. I assume MLB thinks they would take a PR hit if they removed marijuana from the banned substances list. But as a practical matter, it is silliness.
Also, I’m pretty sure MLB doesn’t test for marijuana once you are on the 40 man roster.
marijuana is not legal anywhere in the US. It is decriminalized in those states. There is a significant difference, especially if you are using it as the premise of your statement.
Incorrect. Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska have legalized recreational marijuana.
That’s in addition to the 14 states that have merely decriminalized recreational marijuana. And the 9 states on top of that that have legalized medical marijuana.
Um, Supremacy Clause.
http://norml.org/laws/item/federal-penalties-2
Tenth Amendment. The Supremacy Clause only applies if the federal government is acting in accordance with its limited constitutional powers.
I’ll see your Tenth Amendment and raise you the Supreme Court’s extremely broad interpretation of the Commerce Clause
MLB doesn’t test for mj unless you are in the treatment program. As far as I know no MLB player has been punished for it even if they got in legal trouble like lincecum did years back. Use seems to be tacitly permitted.
Minors is completely seperate obviously. That’s the benefit of a union.
While I find that a little silly, what actually made me mad recently was a report I saw on the NFL where players were being disciplined for using marijuana… as a pain reliever… because their job is to smash their bodies into other people’s bodies. I saw many players testify that NFL-approved pain relievers, mostly pharmaceuticals, had other side effects, including addiction, and that marijuana helped them much more.
Nothing like the NFL to make the MLB seem incredibly reasonable.
It comes down to really the players unions and not the issue. The MLB players union is most powerful union in pro sports.
Categorizing his relapse in 2012 as “minor” is a little irresponsible. It’s a relapse for an addict.
Judging by the photos of that incident (which are incredibly embarrassing) I’d say that 2012’s relapse may have also involved “whippits.”
I am of the mindset that addiction like this is a disease and news like this hurts my soul. I feared something like this might happen after what happened when Josh Hamilton threw that ball into the stands. I don’t know him personally, but everything I’ve heard about him is that he’s a great guy when the demons don’t have a hold of him. I certainly hope he gets the help he needs. I don’t want the next Josh Hamilton story I read to be “found dead in his hotel room”.
Agreed. I think everyone agrees that Josh Hamilton is a good guy with addiction problems who has made sincere efforts to overcome his addiction, and has had some relapses. If that is the case, the focus should be 100% on recovery and sobriety, and ‘punishment’ should not even be a consideration, aside from the time he’d likely need to miss in order to receive the appropriate treatment.
It sounds like the escalating punishment for a 1st through 4th offense is in regards to violations of an MLB-prescribed treatment program. In order for this to be considered a “5th violation,” wouldn’t Hamilton have to be currently in an MLB-prescribed treatment program? Is he? And wouldn’t a violation of a treatment program be something like failing to attend a therapy session, or failing a drug test, or associating with prohibited individuals/locations involving drugs? It seems strange and harsh to me that self-reporting a relapse and asking for help could be considered a “violation” of anything.
I’m guessing a lot will depend on how the Angels view the situation. I think the long suspensions exist, in part, to protect a team from having to keep dealing with a persistent drug abuser.
But if the Angels feel this is a sporadic relapse from a guy who acknowledges his addiction AND owned up to the relapse, they might push for treatment and rehab as the course of action.
Then again, it’s also possible that the Angels will want a long suspension because they regret Hamilton’s contract and want to save money – as the Yankees were accused of with Rodriguez. Not saying this is true. But I am saying that there’s something questionable about the man’s employer getting extra say on the matter, beyond the enforcement mechanisms in the collectively bargained agreement.
It’s worth noting, too, that his “accountability partner” saw his role and responsibilities diminished in recent years. Not that this relapse (if there actually was a relapse) can be laid solely at the feet of that decision, but I can’t imagine that it helped matters any.
it’s probably best that he tried to ween himself of his accountability partner now, when he is still accountable to MLB, instead of later when he is only accountable to himself.
Perhaps…then again, he should be able to afford an accountability partner if he were so inclined, long after his playing days are over. (Of course I would surmise it’s more of “do I want to have this guy tagging along with me for ten years” issue than an affordability issue, post-baseball career.)
Nathaniel, I just wanted to say that your posts are consistently excellent.
Thanks!
Now that MLB has admitted that Cocaine is worse than Adderall maybe they will set up punishments that actually reflect this reality.
MLB didn’t admit this. A single “unnamed baseball executive” (whatever that means) said it was worse – could totally be just his opinion – and relayed that opinion to Ken Rosenthal, who then reported it. Big difference.
Plus, while it might be worse from some perspectives, I have a lot more sympathy for someone addicted to a controlled substance than someone taking PEDs in an effort to cheat. While it’s possible that some people take cocaine to augment their performance, I think it’s obvious that isn’t the case here. With cocaine, I’m way more concerned about getting individuals help and treatment than punishing them.
The funny thing is that most studies show that Amphetimines (which is basically all Adderal is) arent really much of a PED. Which means all those guys getting suspended for taking it are losing money for nothing.
What studies. Where is the control group.
Fangraphs really trying to torture us with these captcha I am not a robot stuff. trying to determine what letters these scraggly wiggles are is torturous
Words are hard, huh pft?
I dunno ’bout all that, but I’m naming my next dog “scraggly wiggles”.
There must be something else going on here, like some other evidence out there that forced Hamilton’s hand.
I’m also guessing that “at least cocaine” means cocaine and alcohol.
Normally I’d agree with you, but Hamilton has a history of self-reporting relapses. As outsiders, we can’t really know what is going on, but it’s hard not to believe that Hamilton sincerely wants to avoid his addictions but it is extremely difficult for him to follow through. Just about everyone has been around people who are addicts. There really is a range (as far as the effect the addiction has on the person). Hamilton seems to be near the worst end of that range.
I’m not an Angels fan or a Hamilton fan. But he deserves sympathy and help, not punishment.
I would be in favor of suspensions with pay for early offenses, de-emphasizing the ‘punishment’ aspect of the suspension, but both as a forebearance for what is expected out of a Major League ballplayer, and to focus the player on recovery (initiated sincerely by MLB and the team). Eventually though, repeat offenders have to be dealt with for the good of the team and baseball’s image. I have dealt with addictions in my family, and unfortunately, sincere interventions can only do so much when a pattern of abuse is established.
If MLB wants to attract fans who don’t enjoy watching cocaine addicts earn millions so they can buy more cocaine, then MLB should make sure it comes across as trying to rid itself of cocaine addicts.
If Hamilton still finds cocaine more important than anything else in his life after all of the chances, 2nd chances, 3rd chances, then perhaps everyone should let him have what he wants. Cocaine.
You are framing this as a rational, even-handed, either-or choice. This is not the way that addiction works.
Cocaine isn’t what Barry Bonds used to make a mockery of the HR
records.
As cocaine is not a PED I wouldn’t have any problem with MLB players
blowing lines up their nose in the dugout on camera.
If Lincecum and Chris Pérez want to smoke a bong on camera that’s OK too.
Dock Ellis threw a no-hitter on LSD
I ran across the freeway once. Does that prove it’s safe to run across the freeway?
Hamilton recently had surgery on his shoulder and isn’t expected to be ready to play until the middle of May. If MLB suspends him for 25 games as reported, then Hamilton’s suspension will run concurrent with his time on the disabled list while Hamilton is rehabilitating from surgery.
Thus, the only actual punishment Hamilton will receive from MLB is a loss of pay for 25 games. He also will be ineligible to play in the All Star game.
I agree with the majority sentiment here that the best course of action is support rather than punishment, especially given that Hamilton voluntarily confessed and as a matter of policy it is best to incentivize those with drug addiction to come forward for help. I suppose this could take the form of something like entering rehab/on going counseling. I’m not qualified to say whether it would be possible for Hamilton to remain active in baseball during this period as that decision would be better suited to professionals with greater insight into the actual situation, rather than the speculation available to us as fans. I hope he finds his way back to sobriety and baseball prominence.
Hamilton is required to undergo testing 3 times a week as a stipulation of his original reinstatement into baseball. It’s likely he was going to get caught anyway.
It’s likely that you’re a fascist too.
A lot more likely that you’re a fascist than Hamilton was going to get caught.
I guess I’m torn here. Hamilton is an nice guy addict that obviously lacks self control. It’s also obvious that guys that abuse PED’s lack the same self control, even in the face of massive negative repercussions, although the “punishment” is basically the same. (ARod is a villain, Hamilton has a sickness) I’m sympathetic to his family as this is heart breaking for them, but he still should be held accountable for his actions. Treatment alone, and I’m sure he has had plenty, doesn’t seem to work.
“It’s also obvious that guys that abuse PED’s lack the same self control, even in the face of massive negative repercussions, although the “punishment” is basically the same.”
I don’t think that’s really the same thing. I’ve never heard of anyone getting physically addicted to PEDs, so they only “lack self control” in the sense that they are not doing what would be best for them in the long-term view. (And that’s arguable, of course; using PEDs is really more of a risk-versus-reward calculation than something that will obviously harm the player’s career.) If you’re going to expand “lack of self control” that far, you probably also have to apply it to gambling (why would a player or coach, who have plenty of money to live on, risk it all for a cheap betting thrill?) or violence (why would a player choose to hit an umpire, knowing the consequences?).
I do think there’s something different about true substance addiction that is worth recognizing and treating differently.
Honestly, given what we known about Josh’s addictions, if the treatment had not really worked we wouldn’t be having this discussion. He’d probably have died years ago from drug related circumstances.
There is a reason why recovering addicts refer to themselves as “recovering addicts” rather than “cured.” Everyday is a struggle. It’s a very good reason why to not mess with the stuff in the first place.
“Addict…who lacks self control. ”
You clearly don’t understand addiction at all.
No, he does understand it. Addiction is largely thought to be based around damaged executive functioning (a result of which is a lack of self control, usually due to abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex).
Shoot him then.
Other than treatment or just acceptance of his use – way too advanced on the
path of evolution for someone like you to consider – that is the only option left.
If we treat him that way, then maybe it’ll force America to think about the appalling way they treat their non-famous addicts?
No it won’t.
If you wanted to make use of Josh Hamilton for something
good then the media would discuss his profound mental
illness that is at the heart of this.
Schizophrenia
“Natty Grow” would be a perfect screen name for the author of this story.
Not making a statement on his situation at all, but I feel that the majority of treatment for drug abuse is gone about incorrecctly. Take a look at this article.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/johann-hari/the-real-cause-of-addicti_b_6506936.html
huffington post??
Johan Hari? Seriously, look him up and see if you’d take a single word he said at face value, on any subject.
He’s no Johan Santa.
Kind of wonder if the fact his wife is going to on The Real Housewives of whatever has something to do with either the relapse or why he turned himself in
Having a family member on that show would drive even the most straitlaced teetotaler to a Tony Montana-sized mountain of blow…
RE: Hamilton relapse
I suppose I get the rehabilitation POV to some extent but I dont understand the overwhelming percentage of people who want to make excuses for addicts in general. Kleptomania and pedophilia are addictions too. You think that people who steal things or molest children should get a free pass and just be rehabilitated?
Yes, I realize drug addiction is different, but the bottom line is that it only becomes an addiction if a person makes a bad decision to use the drug in the first place. At some point you have to be accountable for your actions, addiction or not.
Hamilton should absolutely face punishment if he did in fact use a recreational drug like cocaine. This is a guy who repeatedly violated the drug policy in the past. And if he is forced to take a an extended break from baseball it is likely his best bet to stay sober.
(Somehow I originally posted that by mistake in Eno’s chat comments, but meant to put it here)
1. Pedophilia and kleptomania are not victimless crimes. The goal should be rehabilitation in those cases, but you have to separate them from society in the meantime. Drug addiction is not a crime. Possession and being under the influence is a crime. Addiction is an illness. This is a false equivalency.
2. People make mistakes and Hamilton was very, very young when he initially made his. It would be a wonderful world if all of us were perfect, or maybe it wouldn’t because it would probably be bland and wanting for progress.
3. Hamilton should be punished. I’m not sure how. Disease or not, he broke the rules that almost all the other players abide by.
4. Hamilton is rich. He can get anything he wants. If you add a ton of free time to the mix, it’s probably not the best situation for an addict. In part, the rules exist to protect the players. From each other and from themselves. Seems like the punishment should account for that and in this case a normal suspension should be avoided.
I would suggest a suspension that requires him to stay at an inpatient rehab facility for the duration. He can draw his salary. Maybe part of it should be given back to MLB and be given to charities. I don’t know what the MLBPA would say about all that, but I think it would address the problem and show people that the league is serious about substance abuse.
1)First of all I didnt say that addiction was a crime.
Hamilton presumably admitted he was under the influence, and the was in possession, in which case he did commit a crime.
Im not going to argue that some/all/no drugs should or should not be a crime.
BUT, you really thing anything about the illicit drug industry is “victimless”? I know you are not that naive.
2) Agree.
(But he is apparently still making mistakes at 33 years old)
3) Agree
4)He is rich and can get anything he wants – agree!
That includes treatment, and the means to get and stay sober.
It’s well understood that pedophiles who molest children are psychopaths.
I hope you are a very young man or not yet of adult age and can change as you learn more. If not then you are the fascist enemy.
Everything you type reads like a large, wet fart being ripped directly in my ear.
Yes, I do think that a someone who steals should be given an attempt to rehabilitate themselves before they are deemed unable to change. If a person cannot help themselves, an effort should be made to teach them to live in a way that does not harm anyone.
As far as pedophilia is concerned, it doesn’t appear that you understand the term. Pedophilia is a sexual attraction to children, and has nothing to do the child molestation. The vast majority of child molesters are not pedophiles. So yes, I certainly believe in rehabilitation for pedophiles, since the vast majority of them have done nothing other than to be sexually attracted to the wrong kind of person.
Hamilton also relapsed in 2009, then 2012, now 2015 (we think). He also downgraded his accountability partner to accompany him only on the road last year, something which raised red flags in my mind when I heard. FWIW, Josh had a 616 OPS at home and 874 OPS away last year
What we unlikely will know when all is said and done is how many times Josh has used again, if he has. If this has anything to do with his disappointing performance with the Angels. How he passed testing when tested 3 times a week. Why MLB delayed acting on his “confession”. If his confession was voluntary or forced on him by the Angels discovery.
Also while some people applaud Hamilton for admitting his relapse and reporting it, Im not sure that his motivation was necessarily just to “do the right thing”.
Last time this happened, pictures surfaced immediately afterwards of Hamilton partying with 3 random bar sluts, licking whip cream off their breasts, grinding on one from the back, along with rumors of a cell phone video of him having sex with one of them in the bar bathroom.
Was he trying to do the right thing, or just trying to get out in front of a terrible situation in order to minimize the damage to his reputation and career?
And is he doing the same thing this time?
“… 3 random bar sluts…”
After this, I can say that I like Josh Hamilton more than you.
Andruw Jones had his dick sucked in an Atlanta strip club in front of hundreds of
patrons.
Most of your baseball heroes fit into this mold.
I heard John Middleton uses his piles of money not spent on the Phillies to hire a legion of personal prostitutes for his office, bathroom, gym, and cars.
I know how to figure out if it’s true! I’ll just google What Happened to John Middleton’s Funds According to a Crazy Person.
PPP says: “The Nazis had the right idea, just euthanize the mentally ill”
What I really want to read in a baseball comment section is a commenter describing three women as “random bar sluts.” This is the good shit.
Google – images – “Josh Hamilton Relapse 2012”
Random bar sluts was thebest desciption I could think of.
(and Im all for random bar sluts)
Josh Hamilton 2012
43 HR .930 OPS
Now we know how to fix Josh Hamilton.
Let the party begin.
I get the “he made a bad decision and needs to be punished for it” point of view, I really do. Let’s also remember though that for anybody struggling with addiction problems, any rehabilitation program worth anything is going to tell you that it’s a daily battle to stay on the straight and narrow, and while you must do everything in your power to avoid them, slip ups do happen. What matters the most in that case is that when you fall off the wagon, you own up to it and you get right back on.
As far as I can tell here (i.e. assuming there is nothing to this that we aren’t being told) what Hamilton has done seems to be exactly what he is supposed to do if he has a relapse. He self-reported it, he owned it, and presumably has stayed sober since – it’s not like he dove off the wagon straight into a strung out skid row meth house. A small token suspension may be in order for MLB to adhere to policy and for Hamilton to take whatever time he needs to get any necessary help, but unless there’s more to this story than is being reported, I don’t think a season-long or even longer suspension is appropriate at all in this case.
On the other hand, given Hamilton’s difficult history you can’t let him off with little to no punishment given that he’s a five-time offender (give or take), otherwise it seems to codify a “screw up badly, but just admit it and I’m off the hook!” approach that MLB couldn’t possibly condone.
You don’t want to disincentivize a recovering addict doing what he is supposed to do when he falls off the wagon by absolutely blasting him with a punitive suspension. I would like to reiterate that I see where the “punish him” crowd is coming from – most people won’t get the same treatment he does, but for someone who is by most if not all accounts taking his addiciton problem very seriously, you have to give him an incentive to do the right thing.
If this was someone who was repeatedly unapologetic, and refusing to work towards fixing an obvious problem, then your edict of punishing him commesurate with a five-time offender would be totally justified. However, like I said, unless there is more to this story than we’re being led to believe, Josh Hamilton is waging a daily battle against his demons, is trying in earnest to stay clean, and because of this, I think some concession by MLB on their official policy is appropriate. Maybe something like a 30 to 50 gamer where he has to stay in in-patient rehab.
Agreed, you have to incentivize him to do the right thing; which not only means self-report and seek help if he screws up, as he appears to be doing here, but also with some sort of meaningful punishment if he screws up regardless of whether it’s self-reported or not.
I DO think he should get some credit for self-reporting (unless he’s tested like 3x a week and was likely to be found out within a day or two anyway, in which case I think he still should get a little credit, but not much at all), but still think he’s in line for a hefty, hefty punishment as a repeat offender.
Perhaps, self-reported and not likely to be found out through a normally scheduled test: 100-game suspension
Caught through a regularly scheduled or random drug test: 1-year suspension?
Just spitballing ideas. I think you can simultaneously give him some credit and leniency for self-reporting but still come down quite hard with an appropriate punishment.
If harsh punishment worked for addiction, the American prison system wouldn’t be nearly as jam packed as it is.
It is very unfortunate that mlb has any policy regarding illegal drugs. None of their fucking business. Steroids and HGH, it is their business, and those are not illegal drugs.
There is nothing that does the damage to players that heavy drinking does, and that peculiarly American experiment died a long time ago.
Individual clubs should be free, and free of the players association, to include character clauses in their contracts. No one should be stuck with the contract of an addict or alcoholic who is using.
Hamilton is a true addict. If you haven’t been close to one you don’t know shit. We wish him the best and expect the worst. It’s his problem, and his solution.
I don’t know about you but I would be fired if my employer found out I was performing illegal activities.
Most people would face punishments much larger than a suspension if they were caught in a similar situation.
seriously, they couldn’t come up with a better name for this agreement? JOINT drug agreement?
I feel for Hamilton, pretty sure he under threw the ball that caused that poor dad to fall over the wall, it’s hard enough to be in recovery, but to add that to the pile of issues you get to deal with? I would never be able to forget it.