Josh Hamilton's Recovery Teaches a Humbling Lesson

by Steve Phillips

Filed under: Rangers, Rays, Reds, Executive Take

A few years ago I wrote a story for ESPN in which I criticized the Cincinnati Reds for selecting Josh Hamilton in the 2006 Rule 5 Draft from the Tampa Bay Rays. I explained in the story that by taking Hamilton in the draft and making him a major leaguer the Reds had compromised their organization's core values.

I mean, the guy had missed three years in his development because of alcohol and crack cocaine. He had been suspended for failing drug tests and missing drug tests. He needed to earn his way to the top. Heck, he had only progressed to the Class A level of the minors.

I proclaimed that all of the rules and expectations the Reds had in place for their minor leaguers were somehow conflicted by selecting Hamilton. I said that his behaviors within his addiction should not have been rewarded by instantly becoming a major leaguer. Doing so contradicted the message that was being taught to minor league players every day about doing the next right thing and making good decisions.

 

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