Who else besides me saw the HBO Real Sports piece on Josh Hamilton the other night? I think the interviewer ?

Question

was too light on him. He never really asked what drugs Josh was into. Josh said cocaine, but I have a strong suspicion that Hamilton smoked crack. That was never brought up. Did he use Heroin also? Also, he was suspended for so many years in the minors. I mean, how many chances can you give to an athlete. These guys are so pampered it's absurd. He received a 4 million dollar signing bonus and blew it all on drugs, yes, he did help his family out too. Personally, I don't see this guy lasting in the majors for very long. He looked very edgy during the interview, like he could snap at any moment. The lure will be too great on him and he will get back into drugs, in my opinion. You agree?

Answer 1

An addict to any drug is an addict and will always be an addict, alcohol is a poisonous drug, as is cocaine, (in all its many forms) and heroin in all its many forms , and morphine, in all its many forms.

A person, good ballplayer or not, that becomes an addict to any drug, will always be an addict. Their lives are lived day to day. Today I didn't relapse, is always a badge of honor, for any addict.

Please do not tear down, their fragile, day to day existence.

It doesn't make any difference to an addict, what drug was abused.

All addictive drugs are bad. Should we be questioning the degree of badness. Put out a kindly and forgiving hand and help these people to achieve their day by day triumph over not using.

Answer 2

Well I said I was going to take a break from Y!A because of school but I had very little homework today so here I am!  (That's surprising with all PreAP classes...lol)

And like Rangers fan, I'd just like to say that you are entitled to your opinion; just as I am entitled to mine... And my opinion is DEFINITELY a little different lol.

Anyway, to answer your question, I didn't see it, but yeah, he did smoke crack, I think he did heroin, he probably did anything and everything out there.  But geez, let bygones be bygones.

He's been clean for quite a while, he gets tested two or three times a week, so there's literally no chance he could be taking drugs.  I'm sure he'll be tested in the offseason as well.

I see him lasting in the majors for a long time yet; he's only 27 and he's extremely careful about not falling back into the cycle of addiction... He never drinks (he'll even sit away from his teammates if they're drinking at a bar or restaurant), doesn't do any drugs (including steroids), and has a new daughter (three in all). =)

And I doubt he's "edgy" about talking about his past.  He does that pretty much every opportunity he gets.  He and his wife had a question and answer session at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and they both honestly answered everything (I wasn't there but a friend was).  He's done interviews for magazines and articles, and he's never NOT come clean about his past.

And one of the things he ALWAYS stresses is the importance of never starting drugs and if you are using them, it's time to quit.  

So, no.  I really didn't agree with a thing you said.

Don't judge him by his past, judge him by what he's doing here and now.

Answer 3

apparently they test him 3 times a week so if he starts they will catch him and then he should go to jail.  

Answer 4

Your entitled to your opinion & I respect it but I disagree with it on so many levels. For the fact he has 3 daughters & I don't think he'd set a bad example for them.  Its pretty much fact he smoked crack and did any other drugs he could get his hands on. Props to him for cleaning up his act, becoming more of a family man, and proving anyone can be an inspiration. Also hes drugged tested 3 times a week so it would be hard doing it during the season and I'm sure he would be tested during the off season. Him getting back on drugs is highly unlikely.