CSF Posted March 19, 2004 Share Posted March 19, 2004 I know this isn't Sox news, so if necessary, move it to the appropriate forum, but here it is: Devil Rays' Hamilton suspended for season March 19, 2004 AP - Mar 19, 1:57 pm EST More Photos ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Tampa Bay Devil Rays outfielder Josh Hamilton was suspended for the 2004 season for violating baseball's drug policy. Hamilton, the first pick in the 1999 amateur draft, already had been given a 30-day suspension on Feb. 17. Under the new suspension announced Friday, he isn't eligible for reinstatement until spring training next year, the commissioner's office said. Hamilton hasn't played since July 2002 because of injuries and unspecified personal issues. He received a $3.96 million signing bonus out of high school. In 251 minor league games, he's hit .295 with 33 homers and 166 RBIs. ``All we can do is hope that Josh Hamilton will be ready to participate in our 2005 spring training,'' Devil Rays general manager Chuck Lamar said. ``We all know the God-given baseball talent that he has. ... Hopefully, he can fulfill his dream of playing in the major leagues.'' According to the rules of baseball's drug program, a major league player must test positive at least twice for drugs of abuse before being suspended, with drugs of abuse subject to suspension defined as a group that includes cocaine, LSD, opiates, Ecstasy, the ``date rape'' drug GHB and PCP. Players who fail to comply with their treatment program a second time can be suspended for 25-to-50 days. Players who fail to comply a fourth time can be suspended for at least one year. A fifth failure results in additional discipline by the commissioner. Tests for drugs of abuse are conducted only if the joint management-union health policy advisory committee determines there is reasonable cause. The Devil Rays invited Hamilton -- who became the first high school player drafted No. 1 overall since Alex Rodriguez in 1993 -- to spring training, hopeful he would add to their young, promising core that includes Aubrey Huff, Rocco Baldelli and Carl Crawford. He took six weeks off for personal reasons during last year's spring training and later was granted permission to leave the organization for the rest of the season to handle unspecified personal problems. Hamilton later said he had sought counseling for depression caused by a serious illness in his family. Updated on Friday, Mar 19, 2004 3:00 pm EST Email to a Friend | View With Baldelli, Crawford, Huff, & Delmon Young in the wings, the D-Rays will probably cut their losses. This guy was supposed to be the next big thing. Such an unfortunate situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerbaho-WG Posted March 19, 2004 Share Posted March 19, 2004 This is a joke. The kid obviously has substance abuse problems, so he takes all of 2003 off, just to be suspended for 2004. If he did steroids all he would have had was a slap on the wrist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted March 20, 2004 Share Posted March 20, 2004 Some team like a Pittsburgh will definitely take a chance on him. He's got too much talent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted March 20, 2004 Share Posted March 20, 2004 He has a chance to be this decade's Steve Howe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiSox10 Posted March 20, 2004 Share Posted March 20, 2004 This is a joke. The kid obviously has substance abuse problems, so he takes all of 2003 off, just to be suspended for 2004. If he did steroids all he would have had was a slap on the wrist. it definatly isnt steroids because they wouldnt have suspended him for the whole year. i personally think that it is a very sad story. i mean he is a really talented kid who probobly has a drug problem. my heart goes out to him, i hope he can get the help he needs and be ready to play next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted March 20, 2004 Share Posted March 20, 2004 it definatly isnt steroids because they wouldnt have suspended him for the whole year. i personally think that it is a very sad story. i mean he is a really talented kid who probobly has a drug problem. my heart goes out to him, i hope he can get the help he needs and be ready to play next year. Yeah it says right in the article that is has to be a hard drug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted March 20, 2004 Share Posted March 20, 2004 If he's cut, I'd take a flier on him and put him in rehab and get him mentally healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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