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Josh Hamilton

March 23, 2012 by · Comments Off on Josh Hamilton 

Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton is having a rough go of it early in spring training, and one has to wonder if his Jan. 30 relapse with alcohol is starting to take its toll.

Hamilton went 0-for-3 in the Rangers’ 11-7 loss to the Oakland A’s March 15 and is 3-for-22 for all of spring training (after the March 15 game). That’s a .136 batting average, well below what he has posted in previous years. While most of the other Rangers’ regulars seem to be in mid-season form, the former MVP doesn’t seem to be able to put it together so far.

Manager Ron Washington admitted his star outfielder is struggling, but said he just needs to continue stepping up to the plate and work his way out of his current funk.

“He’ll get there,” Washington said. “He’s not comfortable. He’s got to keep seeing pitching.”

Not comfortable? Not comfortable with what? I understand that players go through slumps. What’s different about this year as opposed to his previous four spring training sessions in which he batted .283 or better? The only thing I can come up with is the Jan. 30 episode and the media circus that followed.

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