Players on the 40 man are not subjected to random marijuana tests, only test for "just cause."

Wouldn't Hamilton, because of his documented drug use, be a 'just cause' candidate for as long as he plays?


The two major injuries Hamilton's sustained in Texas were the result of running into a wall in '09 (I was at that game, a grisly sight), and running into a tag at the plate in '11. I don't really see how drug history would have exacerbated either injury; it was just a matter of hitting something that didn't move. If there's a connection, it's that Hamilton has often played as if he was on borrowed time.

I think I am firmly in the 'players CAN be injury prone camp' and Hamilton fits the bill. Sure, it's easy to explain away each individual injury, but as a whole, Hamilton misses more time than the average star player. Why should I think that will change? Random #### just happens more frequently to some people. Plus if Hamilton resigns with Texas I guarantee that Adrian Adamantium Skeleton Beltre will collide with Hamilton and break him within a matter of days after the signing.

I don't remember this, are there interviews/news stories in which the Rangers mention this?

Yes, wish I could find it, but it was an article I read some time ago and really don't even know for sure where I read it. It wasn't an indictment or hatchet job, they were just discussing the amount of time they needed to spend on keeping him healthy. Basically, he was a bit more susceptible to missing a game here or there due to the drug abuse; his body was more susceptible to breaking down or inhibiting him from staying on the field than someone who hadn't abused drugs the way he did.

I think he is injury-prone in addition to the drug issues, not necessarily because of them.

Could be.

Basically, he was a bit more susceptible to missing a game here or there due to the drug abuse; his body was more susceptible to breaking down or inhibiting him from staying on the field than someone who hadn't abused drugs the way he did.

This does sound plausible. Post #50 explains some of the bigger injuries, but he has also had lots of smaller injuries (strains, tightness, soreness etc) that made him miss short stretches of games and/or play at a diminished capacity. As you say, part of that could be caused by him mistreating his body for years.

Wouldn't Hamilton, because of his documented drug use, be a 'just cause' candidate for as long as he plays?

Yea, and now that you mention it, I think he gets tested a lot, maybe twice a week (?) if I take a wild ass guess at remembering.