Comments on: Josh Hamilton: “I had a weak moment … it was just wrong”

By: baseballplayer24

baseballplayer24 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:52:05 +0000

Josh keep going

By: stuckonwords

stuckonwords — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 04:10:07 +0000

Bobby? Am I reading you correctly? Are you saying that a “real alcoholic” can only hope to overcome his/her alcoholism through an spiritual connection with a higher being?

I mean…surely you’re not suggesting that a “real alcoholic” who is also an atheist or an agnostic has no hope of overcoming alcoholism. That would be…well…just silly.

By: stuckonwords

stuckonwords — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:59:15 +0000

Why is it that Miguel, a guy who apologized, hasn’t relapsed, is in shape, and has been a model citizen since his drunken mistake isn’t “in the same league as a person” as a guy who’s at least as much an alcoholic as Miguel, been addicted to hard-core drugs, had a couple relapses, and talks nicely on camera? What makes Miguel not even be in his league as a person?

Mind you, I’m not knocking Hamilton. I support him. But to assess Miguel as a person, don’t you have to take into account a lot more than the things he did and said while he was drunk? You’re sure taking the non-drunk, non-drug-induced moments into account when you decide the kind of person Hamilton is.

By: deathmonkey41

deathmonkey41 — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:10:18 +0000

I care about as much about this story as I do Brian Cashman’s wife filing for divorce.

By: richwizl

richwizl — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:05:19 +0000

Have some sympathy for the guy; can you imagine being a young, handsome, star athlete and not being able to enjoy even one beer with friends without going totally nuts? In this society alcohol is always present unless you hide yourself away or go to the bingo parlor. He’s going to slip sometimes, but he’s trying real hard and is a good guy.

By: michflaguy

michflaguy — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:03:36 +0000

I think calling Kinsler was his ‘cry for help’. He definitely wanted to ‘get caught’. Getting caught is their way of not having to take the step themselves to stop. Very common.

By: drmonkeyarmy

drmonkeyarmy — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:36:52 +0000

Honestly, that is the type of thinking many alcoholics/addicts employ. Problem is, that line of thinking typical ends up with them dead or in jail. There is never any control after the first of anything has been taken.

By: cur68

cur68 — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:34:41 +0000

Stuck: I was speaking in the past tense about the immediate aftermath of Miggy’s arrest. Currently, as he is now (In shape, free of controversy) I have nothing to say about him but I’m hardly going to line up Miggy in the same league of person as Hamilton. But, if he can stay out of trouble, be a decent dude and teammate as called upon then, meh, I got no beef with him, and I wish him well.

By: nothanksimdriving123

nothanksimdriving123 — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:51:05 +0000

OK, hold it. I haven’t been an addict so I don’t know how it feels. I can only see what has been shown in this guy’s case. If I read this right, he has had profound problems in the past with various chemicals, including alcohol. On this occasion, he had some alcohol and, what stands out to me is that this did NOT result in him spiraling into a dark pit of indulging any other cravings. He drank, and then stopped himself from going overboard. This would seem to suggest that he has developed some control over his cravings for various chemicals. Wouldn’t that be a good thing? And while he might well feel bad about not adhering to his commitments to himself and others, and probably ought not push his luck, so to speak, this does not seem to be a disaster for him, but actually a positive thing.

By: bobbynj

bobbynj — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:37:03 +0000

The fact is that most alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure, have lost the power of choice in drink. Our so-called will power becomes practically nonexistent. We are unable, at certain times, to bring into our consciousness with sufficient force the memory of the suffering and humiliation of even a week or a month ago. We are without defense against the first drink.- pg 24 Alcoholics Anonymous

Once more: The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. Except in a few rare cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense. His defense must come from a Higher Power.- pg 43 Alcoholics Anonymous

There’s a spiritual solution for those who cant stay stopped using “treament industry” methods.

By: bobbynj

bobbynj — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:24:58 +0000

Josh sounds like the real deal to me. He sounds like the type of alcoholic that treament industry methods DO NOT work for. A real, hopeless variety (wants to stay stopped, but cant) alcoholic needs to recover by spiritual principals. The book Alcoholics Anonymous contains the directions on how to recover from alcoholism and stay sober permanently. The program contained in the book has been successfully used for 73 years. Unfortunately, for the type of alcoholic Josh is the “treatment industry” has made alcoholism and drug addiction a big money game over the last 40 years or so. A real alcoholic doesnt have a choice on whether he will drink again or not. And I know that sounds like a cop-out to those who dont understand and those who arent alcoholics themselves. But its true. The treatment indusrty cant “sell” a spiritual solution. Thats the problem. New ideas, theories, medications, processes, thinking, methods, beliefs and mis-information which have been developed as a way to continually build a better mouse trap and thus attract more patients have acted as a screen between the alcoholic and the true recovery process freely taken and given through AA. Even in the fellowship meetings by the same name, inspite of the message contained in the book have been infiltrated by ideas suggesting the alcoholic can in any away manage to keep himself from taking a drink. Use of the term “triggers” and such bastardize, water down and weaken the message and program of spiritual action which can interest and hold people like Josh. Theres a lot of well-intentioned, mis-informed people trying to help people they really cant help. Theres also the money grabbers who are involved. It’s a shame. I can only hope that this time Josh finally finds the right people to help him.

By: stuckonwords

stuckonwords — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:28:41 +0000

To be fair, Detroit fans are as supportive for Miggy very closely to the percentages I’ve seen here for Hamilton (maybe 98% to 2%, wouldn’t you say?). We’re not mad at him, just disappointed and supportive.

What you say is very true, however, from a national viewpoint. People were very put off by the antics Miggy displayed. Heck, even I was.

But there’s a point to be made here: different drunks act differently, but they’re still drunks (alcoholics). Regardless of how embarrassing Miggy’s offenses, the truth is that both he and Hamilton are in the same boat. Hamilton’s a little fortunate, frankly, that he didn’t (as far as I know) make himself look like the ass Miggy did when he was drunk. But let there be no mistake: when you’re an alcoholic, the fight is no harder or easier for one than another. It’s a bit of a shame, really, that Miggy didn’t get the same kind of love (nationally).

While we’re a country of 2nd chances, we’re also not even the least bit hesitant to pass judgment. Miggy was drunk when he made an ass of himself. Let’s show him some love. He really *has* been a model citizen ever since.

By: cur68

cur68 — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:40:01 +0000

I don’t get drunk in front of people. I get drunk alone

Not as simple as staying out of a bar, is it.

By: dondiego27

dondiego27 — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:32:11 +0000

The fact that he was drinking in public places where he was caught brings much doubt to his sincerity about staying dry. What goes on with the confines of his home?

By: cur68

cur68 — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:49:27 +0000

I’m no expert on alcoholism but I find it hard to credit that “its as curable as staying out of the bar”. Many alcoholics drink alone at home. As to the disease aspect check out some primate studies sometime. They come to different conclusions than you: ones based on the evidence that, like humans, monkeys fall into the same categories as we do. Those of binge drinker, steady drinker, social drinker and teetotaller. There seems to be a genuine genetic trait that predisposes us to these categories. I believe these studies are being led by Dr.s Ervin & Palmour, professors of human genetics and psychiatry (respectively) at McGill (Montreal). It seems that, like cancer patients, binge drinkers have no say in what genetic package they are born with.

By: ireportyoudecide

ireportyoudecide — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:31:51 +0000

“Alcoholism is a disease” that’s debateable, it’s a chronic condition brought upon by alcohol that can show up in the brain on a MRI. However it is usually diagnosed without any scientifici evidence. The point being is whether you are born with this condition or not you have to drink to for it to start. It’s a choice, he chose to drink and do drugs at some point in his life. Maybe, his brain was more suseptible to addiction then others but it is still a choice.

I am sure many cancer patients who have a disease wish their diesease was as curable as staying out of the bar.

By: Walk

Walk — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:51:12 +0000

Jb every one i have spoken to in the course of my duty had the right to an attorney to speak on their behalf even if they could not afford one. I am sorry sir, i do not mean for this to be an issue i just try to look for the positive when i see things. I personally have a hard time making new friends becuase of my work to counter that i try hard to find the little things to root for. Now in my post i opined that those word were likely influenced by a pr person but if you have spent any time with someone who has an addiction just getting them to admit it and believe is the the first hurdle. In no way was i cheering for him to fall off his horse nor was i suggesting the problem was solved only that there is hope and seeing signs of the road ahead.

By: cur68

cur68 — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:42:09 +0000

I think its the bit where Miggy was threatening people, acted like a lunatic, arguably drove while severely drunk, and never addressed his team’s fans that saw Miggy get the antipathy. Hamilton fell off the wagon publicly after nearly pissing away his career and life behind drugs and alcohol as a younger man. Then got his ass up in front of the media the next day and owned up for who he is and what he did. I could give a crap as to which one praised what god or what colour they are.

By: papacrick

papacrick — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:09:39 +0000

Miguel Cabrera is a better ball player than this guy but nobody offers him support or wishes him well. Pays to be white and publicly praising God all the time.

By: jeffa43

jeffa43 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:54:47 +0000

What bartender “IN DALLAS NONE THE LESS” would serve him a drink? Seriously, has anyone even thought of that?

You cant say that you did not know who he was….. and say you dont know his story.

Just a thought …. Look out for those who help fill your bar then entire summer… jackass.

Hope Josh CONTINUES to get help, he has done nothing but prove he has a big heart.

By: churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged

churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:51:09 +0000

But the love-fest for him in this thread is a little embarrassing.

Maybe it’s to counter those people who don’t understand the problem he’s dealing with? Or to put it another way:
“Alcoholism is a disease, but it’s the only one you can get yelled at for having. Goddamn it Otto, you are an alcoholic. Goddamn it Otto, you have Lupus… one of those two doesn’t sound right.”–Mitch Hedberg

By: churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged

churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:48:12 +0000

How can you not want to feel like this longer?

By: a125125125

a125125125 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:42:09 +0000

Sorry that so many of you have disliked this comment. Honestly, I was just having a “weak moment.”

By: plowe70

plowe70 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:37:29 +0000

It must suck to have your every move scrutinized in the public microscope.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:33:52 +0000

Sorry man…but you are slipping into zappa’s universe.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:32:37 +0000

Rooting for someone to overcome their addiction isn’t hero worship…it is just wishing them the best.

By: JBerardi

JBerardi — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:22:06 +0000

So I guess if you’re white, an athlete, and you talk about the big invisible sky daddy a lot, people will love you regardless of your many obvious failings. Oh wait, I already knew that from Tim Tebow, plus also the entire history of American sports up to this point.

I honestly wish Hamilton nothing for the best in his struggles. But the love-fest for him in this thread is a little embarrassing. He’s not the hero you think he is, folks.

By: JBerardi

JBerardi — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:17:24 +0000

People are thumbing this down, but if the Rangers themselves didn’t have some doubts about his future, they’d probably have locked him up by now. I think they know him a little better than we do.

By: JBerardi

JBerardi — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:12:27 +0000

"Hamilton only had some drinks, which is a personal issue, but did not endanger anyone or violate any laws." It endangers Josh Hamilton pretty badly.

By: cur68

cur68 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:02:49 +0000

Yeah, dsimp, anytime you find yourself in frankv’s universe, get the hell out.