Josh Hamilton Photos Incriminating in More Ways Than One

The photos of Josh Hamilton that surfaced on the web in January have to be difficult for the Texas Rangers outfielder to address. But he's come forward to apologize for the photos, which show him partying and perhaps getting drunk with a group of women. Will Texas Rangers fans accept his apology for photos that appear to show him "falling off the wagon", and what about his wife?

Being a celebrity definitely has its ups and downs. Texas Ranger outfielder Josh Hamilton may not be as recognizable as Brad Pitt, but all it takes is for one person who recognizes him at a bar to snap a few photos of him having too much fun with a group of girls to cause a scandal.

Perhaps Josh Hamilton thought he could get away with having a little fun away from home; he was in Tempe, Arizona, after all. When you're a major sports star like Josh Hamilton, you deserve to treat yourself every once and awhile, right? It doesn't matter if the Texas Ranger player is a role model to many young baseball fans out there or that he has a wife and kids at home; apparently what happens in Tempe, Arizona is supposed to stay in Tempe, Arizona.

In the photos taken at a bar in Tempe, Josh Hamilton is shown licking whipped cream off of a woman, and he appears to be drunk. Josh Hamilton was a bit of an inspirational story before these photos surfaced; the super slugger had been fighting an addiction to drugs and alcohol for years, and it looked like he had won the battle. His wife stayed by his side throughout his struggle and weathered the storm with him. And this is how Josh Hamilton repaid her, by partying with not just one other woman, but three of them, and throwing all of that hard work away.

In an effort to save face, Josh Hamilton fessed up to the photos right away, admitting that what he did was wrong and stating that he was embarrassed for his wife (who he says has forgiven him) and children. Still, his actions have hurt a lot of people, including his fans.

The last thing that baseball needs is any more scandal, and Josh Hamilton and other players need to step back and realize that they are athletes and role models; they've chosen this path in their life and worked hard to get where they are; they are part of a sport that's a favorite among families; and it's not worth throwing away being someone that's looked up to for a night of women, whipped cream, and jumping off the wagon.

SOURCES: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-baseball-hamilton9-2009aug09,0,4004795.story