Might It Be Time for Josh Hamilton to Step Away From Baseball?

When healthy, Josh Hamilton can be a phenomenal baseball player. He also has a severe drug problem that dates back over a decade and his latest relapse puts his Major League Baseball career at risk.

It’s not because of the potential impending suspension, however, but rather a reality Hamilton must face: is it time to step away from the game he loves so much?

More from Los Angeles Angels

Hamilton has a family he must consider, first and foremost. With every misstep, no matter how much his wife might support him, he pushes them further away. He loses ground as a positive role model for his children and puts himself at greater risk of falling deeper into his bad habits.

The 33-year-old ballplayer must overcome the demons that have haunted him for so long, and it does not appear that the game of baseball is allowing him to successfully elude them. Could it be possible baseball is the very cause of problems?

This is his third known relapse (twice before with alcohol in 2009 and 2012) since being reinstated from a two-year suspension in 2006. With injuries abound and pressure mounting due to underperformance, who’s to say Hamilton’s inability to live up to the five-year, $125 million contract he signed prior to the 2013 season didn’t cause him to stumble?

In two seasons with the Angels, the All-Star outfielder has hit just .255 with 31 home runs and 123 runs batted in. Those totals are more in line with what the Angels were expecting per season from Hamilton; he hit more home runs and drove in more runs in the 2012 season alone.

Admittedly, this is all purely speculation, but with his best years behind him and plenty of cash hopefully stashed away in the bank, perhaps now is a better time than any for Hamilton to swallow his pride and walk away. It worked last time, when he was forced away from the game due to his aforementioned suspension and he cleaned up his act.

I hate to say it, but I believe, at this stage in his life, that is his best option to combat the addictions he fights every day. To step away from the greatest stressor in his life and focus on his sobriety, his family and keeping right with God. Those are the constants that have kept him afloat to this point, and those are the constants he must devote his life to ensure he can keep his footing and conquer his demons once and for all.

Next: Slade Heathcott Q&A

More from Call to the Pen