BDD: Josh Hamilton Is Not A Hero
by Bill Baer on April 23rd, 2009Posted in Baseball Daily Digest, MLB, Media | Print | 16 Comments »
At Baseball Daily Digest, I argue that if you condemn A-Rod, then you have to condemn Josh Hamilton as well.
Not a word when it comes to Josh Hamilton. He used drugs that were clearly against the rules of Major League Baseball and against the laws of the United States. Should we asterisk his career numbers? Act like he never participated in the Home Run Derby last year?
If you’re committed to being consistent with your beliefs, then you’d absolutely have to punish Hamilton if you want to punish Alex Rodriguez and Jose Canseco. Of course, most people would rather engage in lawyeristic activities like finding loopholes in their own logic where they can, in the same breath, laud Hamilton and chastise Rodriguez.
16 Responses to “BDD: Josh Hamilton Is Not A Hero”
By Jack Bauer's Army on Apr 23, 2009
Bill–Thank God. Finally, someone else pointing out this hypocrisy. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
By jordan on Apr 24, 2009
Hamilton didn’t cheat. A-Rod did. I don’t see your point.
By ShooterB on Apr 24, 2009
Ah, back to your blogging roots with the “Not a Hero” series…
Don’t really have much of an opinion of the A-Rod vs. Hamilton topic, since I don’t really condemn A-Rod in the first place. Well, at least not for his steroid usage. Maybe for Madonna and those muscular Toronto strippers he likes to take home.
I don’t know Josh Hamilton, but I tend to applaud anybody with the strength to make a positive change in their life…no matter how big or small. I’d venture to say that most that travel the road he did, never get their life back.
By Bill Baer on Apr 24, 2009
Hamilton didn’t cheat. A-Rod did. I don’t see your point.
If cheating is using a substance that’s against the laws of the U.S. and the rules of MLB, then how can you say Hamilton did not cheat?
If cheating is using a substance that supposedly enhances performance, there’s no evidence that steroids enhance performance. Just because that’s the popular opinion doesn’t mean it’s right.
By Bill Baer on Apr 24, 2009
I don’t know Josh Hamilton, but I tend to applaud anybody with the strength to make a positive change in their life…no matter how big or small. I’d venture to say that most that travel the road he did, never get their life back.
I agree completely. Hamilton absolutely should be congratulated for having the mental strength and the commitment to make the necessary changes in his life.
I don’t mean to denigrate Hamilton but he has to be knocked down a peg when we’re all bashing steroid users.
By Matt on Apr 24, 2009
Josh Hamilton didn’t use performance enhancing drugs. Yes, he used illegal drugs but he did not use anything that enhanced his performance and made him hit a baseball better or harder. Sure, cocaine is bad and so are steroids, but they have different effects. I don’t see your point here at all, there is no arguement. The similarities are they both used illegal drugs, but the difference is one used them to make himself better at baseball and one didn’t. Rodriguez will forever have an asterisk by his numbers. Hamilton won’t, everything he does from here on out is a bonus considering where he was at and where he’s been. He was a done deal. A drug addict, out of baseball. He got clean, and got back in the game and for that, i applaud him.
By Bill Baer on Apr 24, 2009
Where’s the evidence that steroids 100% always enhance a player’s performance? Didn’t work for Alex Sanchez, Mike Morse, or Ryan Franklin, all three of whom I cited in my article.
There has never been a statistically significant correlation shown between steroid use and increased offensive production.
So, to say that the dividing line between A-Rod and Hamilton is that A-Rod used PED’s, it’s a very weak argument based on no evidence.
Regarding, Hamilton’s success, that very well should be applauded and I’ve noted that. However, I urge you take a look at this article written at Sharapova’s Thigh.
Josh Hamilton broke U.S. laws and MLB rules. Why should we applaud him at all? I think it’s great that he overcame his addiction but to elevate him to hero status? That’s way too much.
By Gary Hamilton on Apr 24, 2009
I would just like to say thank you to Josh. You are a hero if for no other reason because of the inspiration that your book is to my son, Ethan. I bought your book at a christian book store in Jackson Ms. and as Ethan,age 15, a freshman in high school and just finished his third season as a high school player, also a good baseball player,read it he told me about your story and how you came back from a world that not any man should go down.Ethan’s goal is to play college baseball and possibly even professional ball. I honestly think that after reading your book that he will remember it when he is introduced to drugs and I think will refuse them largely because of your book. Thanks for being a living role model for so many kids. All professional players in all sports should take that responsibility serious.God bless you and good luck.
By Jack Bauer's Army on Apr 24, 2009
Sharapova’s Thigh said it perfectly…Hamilton should be applauded for overcoming his demons, but those are demons he brought upon himself. He chose to go down that road in the first place. I applaud him for making it back, but I do not approve of making him a poster boy or a hero.
By Matt on Apr 24, 2009
Alex Rodriguez took performance enhancing drugs with the intentions of doing just that, enhancing his performance. Josh Hamilton took illegal drugs for, in all likelihood, his own personal “enjoyment,” if you can call it that.
Rodriguez used steroids. Hamilton used cocaine. Both illegal under US law, yes. Both banned substances by MLB rules, yes. But there will forever by that asterisk by A-Rod’s name and numbers because he knowingly took illegal drugs in order to gain an edge in baseball, and that’s the difference.
By Bill Baer on Apr 24, 2009
But did the drugs enhance his performance? If so, I’d like to see the proof.
If it’s about intent, then can Ryan Howard be suspended if he grazes the grass at Citizens Bank Park like a cow, thinking that it’ll help him hit more homers?
(I swear, I did not have that dream last night.)
By Matt on Apr 24, 2009
That is a ridiculous stretch. Is grazing on the CBP grass against MLB rules?
By Bill Baer on Apr 24, 2009
Actually, it probably is. Tampering with the field of play is probably forbidden.
But that was intentionally facetious, of course.
By kid on May 20, 2009
Are you serious Josh hamilton is the biggest hero ever and he is the nicest man i have ever met. You guys are just jelous
By Josh Hamilton on May 20, 2009
I cant belive you guys would say that about me because I know what I did was wrong but what I did last year changed many minds but I never used PED of any kind reading what you said brought tears to my eyes one thing that encourges me is people like you who hav no belife in combacks or me so whatever you say thanks for the motivation and if you send me a baseball for fan mail I’ll sign it and send it back thank you
By Palmer Turk on May 22, 2009
Josh you are an inspiration to me in every way. I hope to grow up to play baseball as well as you do. Your story is unbelievable and to be able to come back from where you were is amazing. These people who have anything negative to say about your story are just clueless about what you actually went through and are jealous of what you can do. I am a 13 year old catcher and pitcher and I love to watch you play baseball. Thanks for the inspiration.