The Rangers Josh Hamilton may be getting a little too much respect from opposing managers lately, but it doesn't look like he's giving that same respect back to his fans.
Hamilton was in Boston over the weekend for the Rangers series against the Red Sox when he got word that his wife was going into labor with their child. Obviously Josh left Fenway to head to the airport to get home in time, but there were no flights back to Dallas until the next morning. Hamilton also didn't want to pay the $41,000 he needed for a private plane.
So, understandably, Josh wasn't in the greatest mood when he got back to the team hotel after the game, and he took that frustration out on a couple of fans.
Derek Kilduff told the Track he was one of five people waiting for the visiting ballplayers at the hotel, but when his girlfriend and 12-year-old nephew asked the jock for an autograph, he refused.
"My girlfriend continued to walk next to him telling him how my nephew was his biggest fan," said Kilduff. "Hamilton stopped, turned around, got into my girlfriend's face, about 4 inches from her face, and screamed, 'I have a kid on the way and I have to pack!' "Yes, apparently he did have to scream in her face, Derek. You see, when you first asked for the autograph from Josh he said no. Then your girlfriend continued to follow him and pester him for the autograph. So you see, simply saying no did not work for Josh, but the yelling at her did.
"All of the Texas Rangers players were standing there watching this, as a player came over and pulled Hamilton away from my girlfriend," the ex-Rangers fan told us.
"Everyone seemed to be in shock, including the people standing outside the hotel. I was in complete shock and speechless after that happened. My nephew was extremely upset. . . . Did he have to scream in her face?"
Considering the situation Hamilton was dealing with at the time, I don't blame him one bit.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-18-2008 @ 2:50PM
badman said...
typical addict they NEVER quit i d bet a mil he s using again all alchoholics and junkies are ALWAYS and FOREVER water heads and dopers
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8-18-2008 @ 3:24PM
GUS said...
Josh has always been fan friendly.
Badman, your comments say alot more about you than it does about Mr. Hamilton.
His wife and kids stood by him through his darkest days and I'm sure he wanted to be there in kind for her. Obviously, if he had to do it over again, he would have handled it different, I'm sure. But as Fornelli pointed out, he did decline her request gracefully at first. Sometimes, no means no.
Can we not understand that there may indeed be times that an athlete or celebrity has a right to say no because of more pressing issues?
There is a difference between someone who is usually kind and giving being put in a situation that requires his undivided focus and concern and one who is known to never be fan friendly and rude. Mr. Hamilton falls into the former.
Good day.
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8-18-2008 @ 3:34PM
mike said...
my first reaction was to really give it to josh but the more i think about this im sure he will see what he has done and make up for it to the fan. he is a good guy that was just under alot of pressure young lady im sure you be his guest at a game very soon.
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8-18-2008 @ 3:44PM
JayBandit said...
We always defend the athletes in these situations because we think, "well I wouldn't want to be pestered either". However, last time I checked, these guys are being paid millions to play a sport. Part of the responsibility of that job is to sign autographs and always be respectful to the fans, who are paying your salary.
Although I can definitely see why he blew up at that dingbat, it doesn't necessarily make it right.
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8-18-2008 @ 4:14PM
Troy said...
...but, but, but, I thought Josh was a man of God? Religious people never act inappropriately, do they? I for one am shocked.
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8-18-2008 @ 4:16PM
badman said...
Gus, ur probally one of them....
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8-18-2008 @ 5:55PM
crabs1771 said...
actually, JayBandit he is making a shade under 400,000 dollars. that's not exactly the wealth you describe at least in athletic dollars. sure he'll get paid soon. A LOT. but get out of the man's face. if he says no the first time, i doubt clarence darrow could even argue a good enough case the second time around.
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8-19-2008 @ 12:02AM
ryan rhodes said...
the chick deserved it she wouldn't leave him alone after he said no. also badman your a dumb ass because people change and he is being tested bi-weekly for all drugs so he can't be using again.
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8-19-2008 @ 1:20AM
George B Vieto said...
Memo to the Red Sox fan what part of NO you don't understand? About Josh's faith not acting like a saint give him a break. Christians aren't perfect they are forgiven. I am sure that Josh and Red Sox fan will kiss and make up.
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8-19-2008 @ 3:14AM
Jason S. said...
He probably could've scribbled out an autograph in the same amount of time it took him to yell in the woman's face. He probably could've signed it while walking. Instead he used up more of his packing time to stop and turn around.
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8-20-2008 @ 11:41AM
BA said...
I was at the game the previous night, the 19-17 game and during the pregame, Hamilton was very friendly and signed autographs and took pictures with anyone who ask. I think the stress of the whole situation and first no didn't get through to the fan.
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8-23-2008 @ 7:55PM
TOM said...
NO MEANS NO!
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8-24-2008 @ 2:56PM
Sam said...
Jay Bandit. He is not making millions a year and no where in his contract is he required to sign an autograph. That being said could he have handled it differently, maybe. It seems like he was under a little stress at the moment. His wife was in labor and having a baby and he could not get there. Maybe it was a little stressful for him. Give him a break.
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8-26-2008 @ 12:41AM
GUS said...
Badman,
I am torn here. I don't want to beat a horse when its down, that's too easy.
If one clicks on Badman's name, they are taken to a collection of all his comments to various subjects. Several themes that consistently runs through your posts are insults, anger and general discontent.
I am sorry life isn't working out for you Badman, sincerely I am. Realize, though, that taking it out on others by insulting them will not cure what ails you. There are many anger management classes throughout the USA that can give you some good constructive tools to deal with your issues.
Good luck
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