LA Angels MLB 2015 Opening Day News, Rumors: Josh Hamilton Avoids MLB Suspension
Josh Hamilton is an addict, and being an addict is a medical condition. Even though Hamilton agreed to a drug treatment plan with the MLB and is technically outside of the rules by consuming a banned substance, his medical condition factored in to the decision regarding a just punishment. This was the perspective presented by an arbiter, and because of it, Hamilton will not be suspended for his recent relapse and is free to return to the Los Angeles Angels.
Hamilton had a law firm representing him during the arbitration and it was found that he had not failed to comply with his substance abuse treatment program. The sad fact truth is that relapses are part of any recovery from addiction and a punishment in Hamilton's case seemed unwarranted.
"The ruling was based on the arbitrator's interpretation of Section 4(C) of the Joint Drug Agreement, which handles violations of a players' treatment program. NBC's Hardball Talk reported. "Under that section, a player is said to have committed a violation if the player (a) refuses to submit to evaluations and followup tests; (b) "consistently fails to participate in mandatory sessions with his assigned health care professional"; (c) his health care professional tells Major League Baseball that the player is not cooperating; or (d) the player tests positive for a drug of abuse."
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That does not mean his slip will come without other consequences. Angels General Manager Jerry Dipoto made that clear in a statement.
"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," he said.
The situation for the team is a pretty bad one. Hamilton has $83 million left on his current contract and the Angels' press release contained tough language inferring that Hamilton is not exactly being welcomed back with open arms.
