The Los Angeles Angels are currently writing the handbook on how to not handle a pricy star player with addiction issues. Just check up on the LA Times every other day to find out what Arte Moreno and his front office will say to the media regarding Josh Hamilton, you’d be surprised how little they care about pissing off everyone as long as they save some money.
So it should come as no surprise that the team has gone to extreme lengths to cover up the fact that Hamilton is an Angel. For instance, check out the team’s Hamilton-less little league wall, which usually features current Angels players and pictures from their childhood:
Downing Rules, a user on Halos Heaven, noticed Hamilton’s blank wall and the fact that Hank Conger —a Houston Astro — remains:
My kid pointed out that it is Josh Hamilton who is missing from the “Little League Wall” at the back of the stadium. That is eerie and surely points to Josh not being in the team’s plans at all in 2015. Heck, even Hank Conger who was TRADED is still up there! I don’t have a problem with Hamilton being left off the team, but I just had to present this information since I had not seen it reported previously.
I guess it isn’t that shocking considering the team store apparently doesn’t sell Hamilton gear anymore:
Did not see any Josh Hamilton merchandise in main #Angels team store … can't say I'm surprised, given tenor of team's take toward OF.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) April 11, 2015