Did you hear about the guy who walked into a bar and said, “I’d like a shot,” and the bartender said, “That’ll be $100 million, please”?
Barely a week ago, the sports media was buzzing about Texas Rangers centerfielder Josh Hamilton, who is set to become a free agent after the 2012 season. The Rangers were eager to sign Hamilton, and our hero and his agent were said to be longing for a contract similar to the recent signings of Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols — $200 million smackaroos or more.
Then the drug and alcohol addict walked into a Dallas bar this week and relapsed, according to The Dallas Morning News.
Hamilton fell off the wagon with a loud thud in 2009 at a Tempe, Ariz. bar, but quickly straightened himself out. Two relapses in three years is respectable, although there could be more episodes that haven’t hit the spotlight. Still, Hamilton was strung out on crack cocaine for years, and suicidal.
Infrequent bar binges aren’t good, but things could be worse.
I’m hoping Hamilton talks about his latest mishap, sets the record straight, climbs back on the wagon, signs a fair contract with the Rangers, and has many more good seasons ahead of him. Hamilton’s a good guy. However, a “fair” contract won’t be anywhere near the $200 million range anymore. His relapse redefined the word fair.
Such empathy from a reporter.