Wearing a Roy Hobbs "Knights" jersey as he walked in the clubhouse, Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton said he respects CEO and Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan's opinion and that his plan is to try to be more focused and patient at the plate in an effort to climb out of his slump.Ryan said Monday on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM's Galloway and Company that "there's a lot of those at-bats that he (Hamilton) just gives away" and that the outfielder didn't "seem to be locked in at all.""I love and respect Nolan to death," Hamilton said. "He's a competitor. He's still a competitor and was a big-time competitor. I believe he cares so much for us as players, almost like a grandfather would, that when he sees us not performing or doing the things we need to do, it frustrates him. Source: ESPN
He's trying to quit having stuff in his mouth like chewing tobacco and snuff, so he's gone to toothpicks. I think he's trying to even quit toothpicks. I heard a couple of sports guys say that may be messing him up as far as his bat and stats are concerned.
I've heard something similar about Tiger Woods. Once it was discovered he was cheating on his wife, his golf game went to hell.
Uhm, he was a recovering alcoholic when he played in Cincinnati. It's been "discovered" for a while. The dude watched a father fall to his death in front of his kid this year. He went through a quick relapse this offseason. This dude is going to have stretches where he's not completely in the game. He's human. Anyone who doesn't understand that is a moron. This guys gone through more in his life than most players have and he's crushed every one. Cut him some slack.
What I said wasn't directed at Josh. All I meant was that some athletes are so regimented to a routine, that when that routine gets altered in some way, it throws them off track. That's all I meant.
Whatever is wrong with Josh, he'd better figure it out quickly. The boo birds were out in Arlington last night.
