Josh Hamilton Already Drunk Before Meeting with Ian Kinsler on Night of Relapse

According to an interview on MLB.com via KHOU.com, Ian Kinsler is now talking about his role in the events the night Josh Hamilton was out drinking.

The two Rangers players were meeting up after Hamilton had been to a restaurant—or so Kinsler was lead to believe.

Hamilton had been drinking at the restaurant and planned on going to a local bar to drink more afterward.  When the two players met up, Hamilton tried to conceal the fact that he had been drinking from Kinsler.

"Josh is taking care of it," Kinsler said.  "He's doing what he's always done.  He's being open, up front and honest about it.  It's not my place to talk about it.  I know I was there for a certain part of the night."

Kinsler was also asked about how this affected their friendship personally.

"I've gotten over it," Kinsler said.  "I'm focused on this season and baseball.  I support Josh and will continue to support him.  All his teammates and coaches will be there for him.  Josh took care of it and said what he needed to say.  People can say what they want to say.  That's just outside influences driving something that's really not there."

The Rangers will be gearing up for spring training in Surprise, Ariz., beginning next week.