Josh Hamilton Spotted Drinking Alcohol at Local Bar
By Editorial Staff
In a sad turn of event, it’s being reported that 2010 American League MVP Josh Hamilton was spotted drinking alcohol at a bar in Dallas. Hamilton, a recovering alcoholic, underwent the relapse Monday evening. Hamilton’s team, the Texas Rangers, have acknowledged the incident but have yet to issue any statements.
News of Hamilton’s relapse was first released yesterday evening when Gerry Fraleyof the Dallas Morning News reported the slugger was spotted consuming alcohol at a local bar. According to what Fraley calls “individuals familiar with the episode”, Hamilton sat down at Sherlock’s Pub & Grill in Dallas Monday and began to drink.
Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram later tweeted that sources said Rangers All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler received a call from Hamilton and went to the bar out of concern. Apparently Kinsler attempted to persuade Hamilton to return to his nearby home.
No players are encouraged to go to a bar and drink alone, but Hamilton is likely to garner an increased level of media scrutiny. The outfielder has battled alcohol and drug addictions and has attempted to turn his life around. Since his last incident in January of 2009, Hamilton has seemingly been able to do just that.
Few details have been released regarding Hamilton’s relapse; though many are speculating it could have to do with the tragedy the slugger was involved in last July.
On the 7th of that month during a game at Rangers Ballpark, Hamilton retrieved a foul ball and flipped it into the left-field seats as a souvenir. A fan reached for the ball, lost his balance, and fell from his seat. The fan involved, Shannon Stone, was taken from the field but later died as a result of the fall.
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