Early Saturday morning, there was quite a stir raised when Deadspin posted photos of Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton at a bar with a group of women. While photos of athletes out in public having a good time are nothing new these days, this instance seemed to carry more weight given all we know about Hamilton's past.While there was no evidence of Hamilton drinking in any of the photos posted, a recovering alcoholic hanging out at a bar with a bunch of women certainly causes you to wonder what was going on. As it happens, Hamilton confirmed later on Saturday afternoon that he had indeed been drinking on the night the pictures were taken.
"I'm embarrassed about it. For the Rangers, I'm embarrassed about it. For my wife, my kids," Hamilton said. "It's one of those things that just reinforces about alcohol. Unfortunately, it happened. It just reinforces to me that if I'm out there getting ready for a season and taking my focus off the most important thing in my recovery, which is my relationship with Christ, it's amazing how those things creep back in.
"Honestly, I hate that this happened. But it is what it is. You deal with it. I realized that, obviously, I'm not perfect, in this ongoing struggle, battle, that is very real. A lot of people don't understand how real it is.
"As soon as it happened, I called my support system -- my wife, the Rangers, MLB and told them what had happened. I was absolutely open and honest about it.
"I went to get something to eat. Obviously, I eat at restaurants that have bars in them all the time. I wasn't mentally fit to go in there, spiritually fit, and it just crossed my mind, 'Can I have a drink?' Obviously, I can't."
Hamilton's battles with addiction have been well-documented over the last few years, and it's not uncommon at all for somebody in recovery to relapse. A good sign for Hamilton and his continued recovery is that right after this incident happened, he knew he messed up, and he immediately tried to atone for his actions.
It's an example a lot of us would be well served to follow.
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Atlanta Braves' Kelly Johnson celebrates his two-run home run as he enters the dugout during the tenth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, in Los Angeles. The Braves won 2-1.(AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
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Atlanta Braves' Kelly Johnson hits a two-run home run during the tenth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, in Los Angeles. The Braves won 2-1. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
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San Diego Padres' Everth Cabrera in congratulated by teammates after scoring during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009 in San Diego. The Padres won 3-1. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
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New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel, right, and catcher Brian Schneider, left, wait on the mound during a pitching change in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009 in San Diego. The Padres won 3-1. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
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Tampa Bay Rays closer Brian Shouse throws against the Seattle Mariners in the ninth inning Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, during a baseball game in Seattle. The Rays won 10-4. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
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San Diego Padres' David Eckstein connects for an RBI single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009 in San Diego. The Padres won 3-1. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
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Seattle Mariners left fielder Michael Saunders can't get to a fly ball from Tampa Bay Rays' Gregg Zaun in the eighth inning Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, during a baseball game in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
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Seattle Mariners left fielder Michael Saunders can't get to a fly ball from Tampa Bay Rays' Gregg Zaun in the eighth inning Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, during a baseball game in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
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New York Mets catcher Brian Schneider, right, blocks the plate as San Diego Padres Everth Cabrera, left, slides in during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009 in San Diego. Cabrera was called out after missing the plate on the slide. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
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San Diego Padres pitcher Mat Latos, right, runs as New York Mets catcher Brian Schneider, left, fields a bunt during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009 in San Diego. Latos was forced out at first base. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
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Comments (Page 1 of 5)
WHO CARE !!
Nothing new. Jared Allen was out in Eau Claire Wisconsin 2 weeks ago drunk at a bar (the pickle) with practice players and Steve Hutchinson. Expect a DUI soon for Allen
hey he is a rich young man does normal things and who cares about this crap anyway
You would care you idiot if he was drunk and ran over one of your family members and seriously injured or killed them. Your I don't care attitude sucks!
"Deadspin" is turning into the National Enquirer of sports news.
What kind of snake posts photos that are 3 or 4 months old where's the story in that it's old news. This guy from what I've read has worked hard to put his life back together, so called reporters can't wait to tear him down. Shame on them
The same kind of "friend" that Michael Phelps had when he was taking a hit of the bong!! With friends like them you certainly don't need enemies!!
Another CHRISTIAN HYPOCRITE! Just like Republican politicians cheating on their wives. They do all kinds of lying, dirty deeds on Earth because of all the HEAVEN B.S., thinking if they call themselves a "Christian" and go to church to get brainwashed, they'll be absolved of their "sins"
WRONG! Fools and liars, all!
You mean John Edwards or Jack Kennedy or , Bobby Kennedy or Ted Kennedy or , or ? ?
These guys were "Republican hypocrits " ? ?
Wow , have I been misled , I thought hypocracy was bred from the Chicago political camp .
Really , it is not an atribute of one party .
Nor is foolish blather , like yours .
Damn, you are one hateful person. You know that edwards is a democrat. So is clinton. Oh ya, and that kennedy fellow, he killed a girl. You sound like a fool.
I am sorry leftyblue9 that you don't understand what Christianity is all about. When we fall, and I say when because we are all human, we confess and ask God for His forgiveness and try harder to be more like Him. I admire Josh for him being contrite and working out his addictions with the help of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Easy Lefty. I know that you're 1 out of 2 people in the history of mankind that's ever been able to lead a perfect life so don't blow it now by being hateful.
WRONG...I just got through writing a book about people like you...You say wrong? Why don't you explain just how LITTLE you know about Salvation and how it works. You'd be lucky to get Jesus Christs initials right I'll bet. You are the hypocrite my no absolutely NOTHING
Blue 9 knows as much about God as I do about baking work boots. Just your average Christian hating NO NOTHING. I never met an Atheist that could explain one word of Gods plan for salvation..Not a sentence...not a word...
look i find it hard to believe that athiests dont know how god plan works im one and i went to church until i was 16 and then left into the real world to start working and in the time since i have much time to think about gods plan. its not a good one. He says to live by his word and to ask for forgiveness and use the teachings of Christ to better our own lives and if you repent he'll let you in heaven. I agree that you should follow Christs' exploits and use them to better ones self but i dont take them literaly, not EVERY word. Christians are some of the most hateful people on the planet and i dont mean all of them just the ones that have to puch the faith on others. if we dont believe let us live in your so called sin and move on we've made our choice and you have yours just like this man had his. More power to him for trying to better himself through the lord its his choice to make!
Hey Bud you need to find a good church to go to. Then maybe you'll understand why people have their faith! God bless you friend.
Easy there BLUE BOY. Everyone has their Demons. Even Christians. Maybe you could try a little forgiveness, you seem to be mad at the world. All the guy did was own up to his mistakes. I wish more people would do that.
I understand what true Christianity is about. It's all those "Christians" out there hiding behind it, spewing hate for all who aren't saved like they are that bother me.
home4pandas, how old are you that you don't know the Kennedys are democrats.
you better be careful my friend, you should never say what you say