Josh Hamilton-A Role Model?

So let me get this out of the way. I’m a Josh Hamilton fan. I have been since I read an article on his comeback, and continued when he was traded to the Reds and finally began his major league career and then to Texas. I root for the underdogs and for people who turn their lives around. And even after his outburst after Tuesday’s game against Detroit, where Hamilton broke his arm in the top of the first, I still have baseball love for him.

Hamilton seems like a nice guy and seems to be going down a path that suits him. His teammates obviously respect him; heck they doused him with ginger ale after the Rangers ALDS win. How cool is that? But in the top of the first inning in a game at Detroit, on a pop foul down the third-base line, Rangers third base coach Dave Anderson told Hamilton to race home after the foul was caught. Anderson felt that Brandon Inge and Victor Martinez were out of position to make a play at home if Hamilton ran, so Hamilton did.

Hamilton slid head-first into home, and broke his upper right arm doing so. He’s done for six to eight weeks because of a call his coach made. Hamilton said after the game that he didn’t think it was the right call, and that he was leery about it, but went ahead anyhow. Hamilton the professional, listening to his coach. Where he went wrong, though, was blaming his coach after the game. This is where my ears perked up.

Hamilton blasted his coach and said it was a “dumb” play. My reaction was of a different variety. I questioned why, if Hamilton felt it was a dumb play, did he run anyhow? Was it because he is a teammate and a good clubhouse guy, and listens to his coach and manger? Or was it that he wanted to give it shot? Baseball is a lot about instincts. Talk to any base stealer: yes, much of it is talent, but a lot is on instinct and reading what the pitcher is doing. Look at a guy like Gary Sheffield. Sheffield had 11 stolen bases over his last two seasons in the majors. Think that was speed?

But then Hamilton did a 180; he sat down with Anderson and talked about the play. Hamilton’s comments after seemed to come from a man who acted like a kid, blamed someone else for his injury, but realized that there are two sides to every story. Hamilton said “We talked about everything and I could have taken a different route as far as trying to cool down a little bit before I spoke—It’s a learning process in trusting your own instincts, he’s there giving out information. But when you get right down to it, it’s my decision—I just know I should think things through before I speak about when something like that happens again.”

How many times have we as baseball fans read stories just like this, where a player blames the manager, and the follow-up comments either seem insincere, or don’t address the controversy. These seem like comments that were genuine and contrite. Obviously Johnny Narron has had a big impact on Hamilton’s life, being his “accountability partner.”  We have not heard of any personal mishaps in Hamilton’s life since he made it to the big leagues, and Narron is obviously a big part of it. These comments prove that too. I think more players need to have mentors like Narron. Some players would be open to it, and others wouldn’t. But if baseball had a program where a player could request an “accountability partner,” would there be issues like steroids, or DUIs? It’s an interesting thought. Sure, some players wouldn’t ask for the help, some would need it thrust on them. But even then, those situations may just succeed. Accountability is something that is lacking in many parts of society, including with some athletes. Miguel Cabrera was arrested and played the “do you know who I am?” card. It didnit matter that he was breaking the law, he thought he should not be held accountable based on who he is. It isn’t just players; execs like to play the card too. The new book, The Extra 2%, has an anecdote about former Devil Rays owner Vince Naimoli being pulled over and yelling “Do you know who I am? I’m Vincent Jospeh Naimoli, owner of the Devil Rays.”  Naimoli has disputed that, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone if the story was true.

After that tangent, let me tie it all together. Obviously standing up and taking responsibility for actions can be tough for people, but I am curious to know how players like Milton Bradley would be if there was an accountability partner in place, or if there had been one for Barry Bonds. I’m not saying that Bonds wouldn’t have done the steroids, or allegedly if you wish, but wouldn’t it be interesting to know? MLB has a substance abuse program, and suspends players for testing positive for banned substances; maybe that’s a great solution. The same goes for detox treatment programs , which have already helped other athletes in the past.

But why not provide an accountability partner for players, make it part of a rookie orientation; show them success stories of players who have taken advantage of a program like that. Show them Josh Hamilton: show the off-the-handle frustrated comments, and show them the contrition the next day. Show them where Hamilton threw his coach under the bus, and show them where Hamilton admitted he was wrong and took responsibility. Show them a player who has played the game for years, but still learned more about strategy. Maybe even more sports could learn from a guy like Josh Hamilton.