July 12, 2011; Phoenix, AZ, USA; American League outfielder Josh Hamilton (32) of the Texas Rangers before the 2011 All Star game at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

When I heard the news last night that Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton had a relapse in his fight with alcohol addiction, it saddened me tremendously.  Hamilton, who has has the assistance of an accountability manager in the past, did not have one recently when he apparently had a few drinks at a Dallas area bar.  The previous accountability manager had joined another organization.  To see that the Rangers even hired such a person says volumes what the Rangers think about Hamilton.  Oh and the millions they spent on him.  For his part Hamilton came out today and said he was wrong.  No doubt.  It wouldn’t be called a relapse if it was right.  I’ve seen what alcohol addiction can do to a person first hand, so take away baseball all together and it is still a very disappointing story.  It is one the Arizona Diamondbacks and Major League Baseball should pay more attention to.

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D-backs and MLB Should Take Josh Hamilton Relapse to Heart - Venom Strikes - Venom Strikes - An Arizona Diamondbacks Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Oct 12, 2011; St. Louis, MO, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Takashi Saito throws a pitch during game three of the 2011 NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

If there was one weakness for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011, and I use that term loosely for lack of a better term, it was finding a pitcher who could consistently perform in the seventh inning as a set up to the eighth inning for David Hernandez before giving way to closer J.J Putz.  Bryan Shaw did alright in that role.  Other than that, it was really by committee until it got to Hernandez on days he was available to pitch.  Now, with the acquisition of Takashi Saito, he could be the guy the D-backs are looking for to shore up that link between the starter and Hernandez on days the starter can’t go at least a full seven.

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D-backs Pitcher Takashi Saito Could Be the Seventh Inning Gem - Venom Strikes - Venom Strikes - An Arizona Diamondbacks Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Oct 4, 2011; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Craig Counsell against the Arizona Diamondbacks during game three of the 2011 NLDS at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Craig Counsell retired on January 17th, marking the end of a 15-year career that for Arizona Diamondback fans, was highlighted by his crucial hit-by-pitch at bat in the 9th inning of Game 7 of the 2001 World Series.  Of course, his most famous moment came as a member of the Florida Marlins, leaping across home plate as he scored the winning run of the 1997 World Series.  While Counsell’s career statistics will never be confused with the greats of the game, he nonetheless proves that certain numbers do not measure a career.

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Former D-back Craig Counsell Was a Winning Player - Venom Strikes - Venom Strikes - An Arizona Diamondbacks Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More