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Josh Hamilton might want to retire, says close friend and mentor

By Josh Hill

Oct 3, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) heads back to the dugout after striking out against the Kansas City Royals in the third inning in game two of the 2014 ALDS playoff baseball game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) heads back to the dugout after striking out against the Kansas City Royals in the third inning in game two of the 2014 ALDS playoff baseball game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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The career of Los Angeles Angeles slugger Josh Hamilton may have to come to an end if he wants to get his life straight, according to his close friend and mentor. 

Josh Hamilton’s career is in flux right now, but that’s the least of his concerns at the moment. The Los Angeles Angeles slugger admitted to baseball commissioner Rob Manfred that he relapsed in his drug use and violated his sobriety this offseason when he used a mixture of what is being reported as alcohol and cocaine.

This creates a problem for baseball as they need to act within their policies regarding substance abuse but they need to tread lightly given how delicate the situation is. Hamilton wasn’t busted or outed for relapsing, he openly admitted it in a private meeting with baseball officials and that’s something that indicates he is aware of his problem.

The next question that needs to be asked is should Josh Hamilton even continue to play baseball?

According to Josh Hamilton’s close friend and mentor Roy Silver, via Bob Nightingale of USA Today, the best thing for the slugger to do is retire from baseball and get his life straight.

"“Absolutely, absolutely,” Silver told USA TODAY Sports in a phone interview. “He needs to get his life back in order. Even three years ago, I told Josh that you might want to consider retirement.“His life isn’t over, but his baseball career should be.”"

Hamilton’s decision is ultimately his own, and given his past with drug addiction and his triumph over his demons, this wouldn’t be the worst ending to his story. It’s hardly storybook, but Hamilton retiring from baseball to get his life in order could be the strongest message about addiction that he can send.

No one would fault Hamilton if he stays in baseball and no one would shame him for leaving. This is a unique situation, and it’s one that everyone needs to reserve judgement about until Hamilton decides what is in his best interest for not his baseball career but his life outside of the game.

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