Josh Hamilton's relationship with the Texas Rangers is much like the relationship between Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and former coach Jimmy Johnson:
They accomplished more together than they ever did apart.
Together, Hamilton led the Rangers to their only World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011. Two years later, the Rangers lost 95 games and finished last in the AL West.
Johnson led the Cowboys to consecutive Super Bowl wins in 1992 and 1993, and Barry Switzer coached the team Johnson put together to a title in the 1995 season. Since then, the Cowboys have won two playoff games.
In many ways, it's always sad when money and ego makes folks lose sight of the big picture.
Well, it looks like Hamilton and Rangers will have an opportunity to rewrite the sad ending to their saga.
Multiple reports suggest the Angels are on the verge of trading Hamilton to the Rangers for next to nothing.
The Angels have essentially cut ties with Hamilton since he admitted a drug relapse in February. He had shoulder surgery on Feb. 3, just before the start of spring training, but has not worn an Angels uniform since the end of last season.
The Angels will reportedly pay all but $15 million of the $83 million Hamilton is still owed on the five-year, $125 million deal he signed after the 2012 season.
During his last season with Texas, Hamilton hit .285 with 43 homers and 128 RBIs. In the two seasons since then, he hit .255 with 31 homers and 123 RBIs.
The Rangers haven't fared any better. They are 164-176 since he left.
The reality is that's the only reason the Rangers are even entertaining Hamilton's return, considering the folks in Arlington booed him lustily in his final at-bat with the club, as they should have done.
The one thing ticket-buying fans will never accept is a lack of effort, and Hamilton laid down on the Rangers multiple times in the final month of the 2012 season. That said, we all know Americans love nothing more than a story of redemption, so no one should be shocked if Hamilton gets a standing ovation in his first at-bat with the Rangers, whenever it happens.
If the trade goes down, as expected, Hamilton will need time in extended training before he goes on a rehab assignment. Only then can he even think of rejoining the Rangers.
Whenever that happens, don't view Hamilton as a savior, whatever you do. Those days, sadly, are gone. No one, including Hamilton, knows if he can ever dominate the game again.
Hamilton's bat speed has slowed and his skills have diminished. He is 33, and he has treated his body shabbily over the years.
Still, whatever he has left is better than 100 percent of current Rangers left fielders Ryan Rua and Jake Smolinski.
Besides, the Rangers' outfield has two homers in 15 games. There's zero guarantee Rua, Smolinski, Leonys Martin, Carlos Peguero and Shin-Soo Choo will combine for 20 homers this season.
Even in a bad year, Hamilton could hit 15 or 20 homers if he arrived in the middle of June.
That's enough for the Rangers to give him a second chance. They each need it to work.