On Friday night, current Rangers outfielder and former Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton faces his former team for the first time since he was traded in late April. Hamilton, of course, was essentially given away by the Angels after a self-reported relapse and with $70 million or so left on his contract.
Thanks to Hamilton's disappointing Angels tenure and Moreno's barely concealed tantrum after Hamilton wasn't suspended for his relapse (an arbitrator's decision that was thoroughly in keeping with the Joint Drug Agreement, it should be noted), there's been almost palpable acrimony between the two sides. Now, Angels manager Mike Scioscia, fresh off a Pyrrhic victory in his feud with erstwhile GM Jerry Dipoto, has weighed in. Here are Scioscia's remarks via Scott Boeck of USA Today (@scott_boeck) ...
"I'm hoping he'll take an opportunity to thank the teammates that supported him, and to reach out to (Angels owner) Arte (Moreno) and let Arte know that maybe some of the things he did weren't what he signed up to do. We'll leave it at that."
Scioscia's loyalty to Moreno is quite understandable, especially in light of recent upheavals. However, Hamilton tells Boeck that he has no plans to meet with Moreno but has reached out on several occasions to the Angels' owner only to be rebuffed. This also isn't a new version of events from Hamilton. Here's what he said back in the middle of May:
The 2010 American League MVP who returned to the Rangers in a trade last month said Saturday he reached out during both subpar seasons after signing as a high-priced free agent. He said he tried again after self-reporting a cocaine and alcohol relapse and undergoing shoulder surgery this year.
Hamilton says he was turned away each time by general manager Jerry Dipoto or team president John Carpino.
So either Scioscia is unaware of Hamilton's claims on this front (highly unlikely), he doesn't believe Hamilton or he's just spinning things in Moreno's favor despite what he knows to be true. Whatever the case, the Angels' "high command" hasn't exactly covered itself in glory this season.
(h/t HardballTalk)
