MLB is not planning to look into the Los Angeles Angels..."/> MLB is not planning to look into the Los Angeles Angels..."/>
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MLB won’t look into Angels conduct on Josh Hamilton

By CM Towle

Aug 15, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) bats during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) bats during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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The MLB is not planning to look into the Los Angeles Angels conduct in the Josh Hamilton case, in spite of leaked info.

During the investigation of Angels’ outfielder Josh Hamilton’s relapse, someone improperly leaked information of a confidential nature to LA-area reporters, including one specifically assigned to the Angels. The information leak is a violation of the Joint Drug Agreement and if it can be proven that a particular party was responsible for the leaking, said party is subject to punishment, according to a report by Hardball Talk.

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The curious part of the whole thing is that obviously Hamilton has no motivation to leak such information, but on the other hand, the Angels were publicly upset over the decision the MLB made not to punish Hamilton. The team president told reporters that it defied logic that Hamilton’s behavior was not considered a violation of his current program. As with any type of leaked information, it’s good to look at who the leak benefits before you start looking for suspects. Obviously the leak benefits the Angels as they want to paint Hamilton as a bad guy with big problems. It’s not hard to put two and two together and come up with them as the prime suspects.

However, the Angels apparently have no fear of reprisals because the league isn’t going to investigate whether they had anything to do with the leaks. In spite of their continued public words about Hamilton and how they aren’t happy with his conduct and behavior.

Commissioner Rob Manfred tried to explain his decision by saying that even though confidentiality was a big part of the drug program, things aren’t going to stay confidential if a lot of people know about them. The problem is, it’s easy to narrow down who most likely knew about the Hamilton situation. That would be the Angels, the commissioner and his assistants, Hamilton himself and his agents and lawyers. That’s not a big group of people.

That also makes it even easier to see who the leaked information benefits.  But, unfortunately, Manfred apparently won’t be investigating any breaches of confidentiality as it pertains to the drug program, because the people who knew about Hamilton are going to be the same types of people who know about any drug issue with any player. That digs a big hole in the credibility of the JDA as it stands now and maybe even in the commissioner.

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