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Re: The MLB Thread
Yes, but he's also got a wife and a daughter who need him 100%.
I'm sorry but family means very much to me (as someone who doesn't have much of one), and I am sympathetic that addiction can be tough and is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of sickness and deserves treatment...
But he needs to get his fuckin' shit together.
Re: The MLB Thread
Josh Hamilton 'sorry for weak moment'
by T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
ARLINGTON -- Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, long engaged in a battle against drug and alcohol addiction, publicly apologized for his actions on Monday, when he consumed alcohol in two Dallas establishments.
Hamilton spoke for about 12 minutes Friday at a news conference at the Ballpark in Arlington, after which he did not take questions. He said no drugs were involved and he has had two drug tests since then. He also confirmed that teammate Ian Kinsler was with him at one point during the evening, but not when he was drinking.
"To everybody I hurt, everybody, fans, kids, people who have addictions who look up to me, I apologize," Hamilton said. "When you're doing this, you don't mean to hurt anybody. You're only hurting yourself. But as I know, I hurt a lot of people.
"I feel terrible about this, let a lot of people down. The last four days I really beat myself up. There's nobody that feels worse than I do. I'm going to do everything I can to lean on some shoulders so hopefully I can get back to the point where people will lean on me."
Hamilton and his agent Mike Moye have been discussing a long-term contract extension with the Rangers. Hamilton can be a free agent after the upcoming season and set the beginning of Spring Training as a deadline. Those discussions will be put on hold for now.
"It would be nice if we were talking about a contract," Hamilton said. "We'll put that on the backburner for a while."
Instead, Hamilton said he will fly to New York in the near future to meet with doctors both for Major League Baseball and the Players Association. He said he will do everything he can to make the situation right again.
"It was just wrong," Hamilton said. "That's all it comes down to. I needed to be responsible, period, and I was not responsible. Those actions hurt a lot of people who are very close to me.
"I understand I'm going to do everything I can, take all the steps necessary, whatever the steps may be, whether it be going to counseling, talk[ing] to somebody. Everything is open at this point. I don't want you guys knowing everybody out there who's watching or going to read about this thinks he's fine with it, he's not hurt by it.
"Well I am hurt by it tremendously, more so for my wife and my kids and the Rangers organization. They've been nothing but great. I appreciate everything they've done, supporting me."
Hamilton said he had a "moment of weakness" with a family member on Monday night. Afterward, he went to dinner at a Dallas restaurant. He said he had "three or four" drinks during dinner and then called Kinsler and asked the second baseman to join him. Kinsler did and they went to another establishment across the street.
"Ian did not know I had been drinking," Hamilton said. "Once I do drink, I can be very deceptive, very sneaky in a lot of ways, so while he was there I did not drink in front of him. When we finished at this restaurant, we go across the street ... talking baseball, talking life, how our families were doing."
Hamilton said he did not drink in front of Kinsler at the bar. They left and Kinsler drove Hamilton to his car. Kinsler asked Hamilton if he was all right and if he was going home. Hamilton said he assured Kinsler that he was.
"His words were, 'I'll see you later. You're not going to go back out again, are you?'" Hamilton said. "I said no. Then I did exactly what I told him I wouldn't do. I went back out to the place we just left, had some more drinks."
Hamilton said he never thought about using drugs that night.
"It doesn't excuse the fact that I was doing something that doesn't work for me," Hamilton said. "It was just wrong and that's all it comes down to. I needed to be in a different place, I needed to be responsible at that moment, that period, and I was not responsible, so those actions of mine have hurt a lot of people that are very close to me."
Rangers officials said they are committed to standing behind Hamilton and supporting him through what is a second relapse since they acquired him from the Reds four years ago. Hamilton had a relapse in January 2009 when he was found drinking heavily in a Tempe, Ariz., bar just 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 had been no reported incidents since then until word of another relapse on Monday surfaced.
"After this happens and praying about it, I cannot take a break from my recovery," Hamilton said. "My recovery is Christ. My recovery is an everyday process, because when I take that one day off, it leaves me open for that moment of weakness and it's always been that way."
Hamilton, 30, has been an American League All-Star in each of his four seasons with the Rangers and was the AL Most Valuable Player in 2010.
When he was acquired from the Reds, the Rangers 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.
Re: The MLB Thread
Bobby Cox to return to dugout to manage vs. Braves in exhibition
by Mark Bowman / MLB.com
ATLANTA -- Bobby Cox managed in 29 World Series games and compiled the fourth-most wins among managers in Major League history. He played with Mickey Mantle and worked for both Ted Turner and George M. Steinbrenner.
There aren't many things he has not experienced in the baseball world. Still, there was a genuine sense of excitement in his voice when he was asked about the opportunity to manage against the Braves.
Cox will manage the Braves' Future Stars team that will compete against the big league Braves in an exhibition game on April 3 at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, Ga. His club will likely consist of Andrelton Simmons, Christian Bethancourt, Joe Terdoslavich and the organization's other top prospects who will not begin the year in the Majors.
The event is officially titled "Braves All-Stars vs. Future Stars Game" and first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET.
"I'm going to love it," Cox said. "It's going to be great. I've already got chill bumps on my arm."
Retirement has certainly not reduced the passion Cox has for being around the game. When he called it quits at the end of the 2010 season, he had managed 4,508 games -- fourth most all time -- at the Major League level. But this will be the first game he has managed against the Braves.
"I'm looking forward to filling out that lineup card," Cox said. "I don't know how my roster is going to look. It depends what kind of pitching [Braves pitching coach] Roger [McDowell] gives me."
This is the first time the Braves have scheduled a game against a group of top prospects just before the start of the regular season. The club has previously concluded its exhibition season with games against another Major League club at Turner Field.
The Braves will open the regular season against the Mets at Citi Field on April 5. They will return to Atlanta for their home opener against the Brewers on April 13.
Full season-ticket holders for the Atlanta Braves and Gwinett Braves can purchase tickets for the exhibition game with a $5 discount. Fans with partial season-ticket packages can purchase tickets with this same discount beginning Monday.
Non season-ticket holders will be given a chance to buy ticket-pairing packages beginning on Feb. 18. The packages will include a ticket for the "Braves All-Stars vs. Future Stars" game and a ticket for either Triple-A Gwinnett's home opener or an Atlanta Braves home game to be determined. These can only be purchased by phone, fax or in person at the Coolray Field Box Office.
Those looking for more information should contact the Gwinnett Braves at 678-277-0300 or visit www.gwinnettbraves.com
Re: The MLB Thread
Braves unveil new logo, home alternate jerseys
by Mark Bowman / MLB.com
ATLANTA -- Hank Aaron likes the look of the new alternate uniform the Braves will begin wearing this year. The jersey looks quite similar to the ones he and his teammates wore when the franchise moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966.
But Aaron was quickly reminded of one of the primary differences when he held a new jersey and playfully wondered how much more comfortable he and his contemporaries might have been had they not been forced to wear the heavy wool jerseys of yesteryear.
"I think I could play a doubleheader in this," said Aaron, who celebrated his 78th birthday Sunday.
There will be some nostalgia in the air this year when the Braves wear the alternate uniform during Saturday and Sunday home games. The cream-colored jersey design will be worn with cream-colored pants and the traditional navy cap with red brim.
The Braves had Chipper Jones, Dan Uggla and Brian McCann on hand to unveil and model the new uniforms Monday morning at Turner Field.
"It's nice to keep things fresh," Jones said. "I think everybody was excited a few years ago when we got the new blue uniforms that we wear on the road. The last few years, we've worn the red [jersey] on the weekends. I think the guys really embrace any kind of subtle change, especially one this classy. It harkens back to the days when [Aaron] was terrorizing the big leagues. I'm proud to wear it."
The jerseys will feature the traditional Braves script in red across the chest, minus the tomahawk. There will be red numbers on the front and back, navy piping, navy player letters and a new logo patch on the left sleeve.
Instead of utilizing the "screaming Indian" patch that was used in the past, the new patch will have two crisscrossing tomahawks, the year "1876" -- the franchise's first season in the National League -- and the words "Atlanta Braves."
"It is really a timeless uniform," Braves executive vice president of sales and marketing Derek Schiller said. "You could wear this jersey today, and our hope is that 10 or 20 years from now, it would be just as appealing to our players and fans."
Along with all Saturday and Sunday home games, the new alternate uniform could be worn on some special occasions.
"We're always looking for a nice subtle change," Uggla said. "It adds a little spice to our uniform."
Each of the players quickly noticed that the new jersey feels even lighter than the traditional white uniforms. This should provide a little more comfort on some of those hot and humid summer days in Atlanta.
"The uniforms mean a lot to a player," Aaron said. "These are beautiful uniforms, and I'm sure they're going to like them."
This is the club's first home uniform change since it introduced alternate red jerseys before the start of the 2005 season. The plan is to continue wearing the red jerseys for all Friday night games in Atlanta. But the Braves will likely stick with their traditional white uniforms when they host the Brewers for their home opener on Friday, April 13.
"We always want to give our fans another way to show their pride and allegiance to the team," Schiller said. "By putting out a uniform like this, it's just another way they can connect with the Braves. I think it extends our brand. Obviously there are some opportunities to sell the jersey, which is great. But the primary reason is we really wanted to create a look that focuses on the history and tradition the Braves have created."
Re: The MLB Thread
Orioles have had "exploratory talks" with Manny Ramirez
by Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com
BALTIMORE -- The Orioles have had "exploratory talks" with free-agent slugger Manny Ramirez's agent, executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said on Monday.
Duquette -- fresh off a morning trade with the Rockies that netted pitchers Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom in exchange for veteran starter Jeremy Guthrie -- confirmed the Orioles' long-rumored interest in Ramirez and said that the team had watched him work out.
"We are still considering the composition of this club, and some of the challenges of integrating a player like Manny into our ballclub and market," said Duquette, who as general manager of the Red Sox signed Ramirez to an eight-year, $160 million contract in December 2000.
Ramirez, who retired last April rather than serve a 100-game suspension for a second violation of Major League Baseball's drug policy, will face a 50-game ban should he sign a contract. While he would come at a cheaper cost than other designated-hitter types on the market, such as Johnny Damon, Ramirez also comes with significant concerns. In addition to the suspension, Ramirez typically attracts a media circus, and it's unclear how his behavior, which spawned the phrase "Manny being Manny," would play out under manager Buck Showalter's watch.
Ramirez, who has 555 career home runs and is a 12-time All-Star, is said to have drawn interest from at least two other clubs, Toronto and Oakland, and he would almost certainly have to sign a Minor League deal given his suspension. The Orioles, who are seeking to upgrade their bullpen before Spring Training, remain interested in adding a veteran bat -- like that of Ramirez -- as well.
Re: The MLB Thread
Yoenis Cespedes awaiting clearence to sign; meeting w/ Miami on Wed.
by Zack Meisel and Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com
Yoenis Cespedes is not yet ready to sign with a Major League team after all.
Despite being declared a free agent on Jan. 25, the Cuban defector, who established temporary residency in the Dominican Republic in January, has not been legally cleared by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, his agent, Adam Katz, told MLB Network Radio.
"I have never gone through this process before," Katz said. "It is onerous and unpredictable. You just sort of have to breathe into it and not have too many expectations."
The 26-year-old outfielder said he has narrowed his list of suitors to the Marlins, Tigers, Orioles, Cubs, White Sox and Indians. Katz said Cespedes can agree to terms with a club, but cannot officially sign a contract until the Office of Foreign Assets Control gives its approval.
"We still need to have him unblocked in order to execute a contract and have him play," Katz said.
Katz remains optimistic that such a scenario will play out soon enough to allow Cespedes to arrive at Spring Training on time.
In accordance with new guidelines established in January 2011, Cuban players no longer have to wait three to six months to be unblocked by the OFAC after establishing residency outside of Cuba or the United States.
Under the new rules, instead of having to request a specific license from the OFAC for unblockage, there is a general license authorizing Major League teams to do business once permanent residency outside of Cuba (but not in the United States) was established, eliminating the requirement that the defector be processed by the OFAC before they were declared free agents by MLB.
It is unclear if there is an issue with Cespedes in regard to receiving a general license from the OFAC or that the wait is part of the normal process.
Marlins president David Samson was hopeful that Cespedes will visit Miami in the coming weeks.
"If it can be arranged, and he wants to come to Miami and see our ballpark, it would be great," Samson said. "From our standpoint, we are aggressively negotiating a contract, but there is no way of knowing if we will be a high bidder."
In a brief stint in winter ball in the Dominican Republic, Cespedes went 5-for-35 (.143) with a home run and 10 strikeouts. He hit .333 with 33 home runs and 99 RBIs in 90 games in Cuba during the 2010-11 campaign. Cespedes was Cuba's starting center fielder during the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Re: The MLB Thread
Oil Can Boyd, 1980s Red Sox pitcher admits cocaine use as a player
by Ben Maller / The Post Game-Yahoo! Sports
A beloved 1980s Major League Baseball star says he used cocaine not only a few times, but a majority of the time he was pitching.
The Boston Globe reports Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd, who pitched eight seasons for the Boston Red Sox, admitted he was under the influence of cocaine two-thirds of the time he was on the mound.
Boyd has penned a tell-all book, "They Call Me Oil Can: My Life in Baseball," which will hit bookstore shelves in June.
"Some of the best games I’ve ever, ever pitched in the major leagues I stayed up all night; I’d say two-thirds of them," Boyd said to WBZ radio. "If I had went to bed, I would have won 150 ballgames in the time span that I played. I feel like my career was cut short for a lot of reasons, but I wasn’t doing anything that hundreds of ballplayers weren’t doing at the time; because that’s how I learned it.
"It was something that I had to deal with personally and I succumbed. I lived through my life and I feel good about myself. I have no regrets about what I did or said about anything that I said or did. I’m a stand-up person and I came from a quality background of people."
While drug testing is a huge issue in the sport today, Boyd says back in the '80s he was free to use any chemicals he wanted.
"I never had a drug test as long as I played baseball," he said. "I was told that, yeah, if you don’t stop doing this we're going to put you into rehab, and I told them ... 'I’m going to do what I have to do, I have to win ballgames. We’ll talk about that in the offseason, right now I have to win ballgames.'"
Boyd believes despite his 10 seasons in the Major Leagues, he could have played longer had he not been the victim of racism.
"The reason I caught the deep end to it is because I’m black. The bottom line is the game carries a lot of bigotry, and that was an easy way for them to do it," Boyd said. "If I wasn’t outspoken and a so-called 'proud black man,' maybe I would have gotten the empathy and sympathy like other ballplayers got that I didn’t get; like Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, Steve Howe. I can name 50 people that got third and fourth chances all because they weren’t outspoken black individuals."
Boyd finished his career with a 78-77 record and 4.04 ERA for the Red Sox, Expos and Rangers from 1982 to 1991. He pitched for Boston in the 1986 World Series that everyone remembers for Bill Buckner's butchering of a ground ball that helped rally the New York Mets to the championship.
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Boyd is a known headcase that's full of shit about the racism. He was the Milton Bradley of his day, except he had a coke habit.
Boyd wasn't given the second, third, eighteenth chances that Strawberry & Doc Gooden were given, because Boyd was a headcase asshole that was a total nightmare for teams to deal with.
Had NOTHING to do with skin color. The stupid bastard actually nullifies his own point in his own statement. How can it be racism, but other blacks are given tons of chances who were GOOD GUYS?
That dog don't hunt. Boyd you were shown the door because you were a fuck wit coke head who's pitching ability had washed up.
That's what we call THE GAME. Is what it is man, but if you truely think it's because you were a black loudmouth... no dude, it was just you being a loudmouth douche.
Re: The MLB Thread
Yoenis Cespedes could leave U.S. after meeting Miami Marlins
by Zack Meisel / MLB.com
After a meet-and-greet on Wednesday with Marlins officials and a tour of the club's new ballpark, Yoenis Cespedes could depart the U.S. without meeting with other teams.
Cespedes' agent, Adam Katz, told ESPN.com "nothing is scheduled for now" with regard to the 26-year-old outfielder talking to other clubs before he returns to the Dominican Republic, where he established temporary residency in January.
Cespedes had lunch on Wednesday with Marlins officials as MLB cameras captured footage for Showtime's reality series about the ballclub that is scheduled to air this summer.
"We had a good meeting," Katz told ESPN.com. "They made a very impressive presentation. Discussions are ongoing and productive. But there are several other teams in the mix."
Marlins president David Samson is optimistic that Miami is the front-runner to land the five-tool player.
"From our standpoint, we are aggressively negotiating a contract," Samson said. "But there is no way of knowing if we will be a high bidder."
Cespedes had narrowed his list of suitors to the Marlins, Tigers, Orioles, Cubs, White Sox and Indians. He can negotiate and agree to terms with a club, but -- despite being declared a free agent by Major League Baseball on Jan. 25 -- he cannot officially sign a contract until the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control gives its approval.
Katz remains hopeful that such a scenario will play out soon enough to allow Cespedes to arrive at Spring Training on time.
"I have never gone through this process before," Katz told MLB Network Radio earlier this week. "It is onerous and unpredictable. You just sort of have to breathe into it and not have too many expectations."
In a brief stint in winter ball in the Dominican Republic, Cespedes went 5-for-35 with a home run and 10 strikeouts. He hit .333 with 33 home runs and 99 RBIs in 90 games in Cuba during the 2010-11 campaign. He was Cuba's starting center fielder during the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
