Hamilton gets new accountability partner

LM Otero/Associated Press

       MOMENT OF WEAKNESS

• Rangers shouldn't be responsible
• Hamilton talks about drinking incident

• Slip could cost Josh Hamilton millions
• Source: Hamilton relapses at area bar

The Texas Rangers have settled on a new accountability partner for outfielder Josh Hamilton, general manager Jon Daniels announced on Tuesday.

Shayne Kelley, who has no history with Hamilton, has been tabbed to take over that job in his position as a major league staff assistant.

The need for an accountability partner for Hamilton is critical given Hamilton’s alcohol relapse last week.

Kelley has a history of working at both the collegiate and high school level. He did spend three years in the Kansas City organization as a minor league strength and conditioning coach. He has also worked with the college baseball programs at Samford and Alabama as well as Athletes in Action. His last job was a high school coach.

Kelley is replacing Johnny Narron, who handled the role from the time Hamilton was traded from Cincinnati to Texas in 2007. Narron left the Rangers last year to take the hitting coach job with Milwaukee.

The Rangers looked like they had a replacement for Narron in place last month in Michael Dean Chadwick, Hamilton’s father-in-law. Chadwick decided not to take the job because he wanted to spend more time with his family in North Carolina.

Hamilton said last month he wasn’t sure he needed an accountability partner but would have one if the team felt it was necessary.

Kelley has already traveled with Hamilton to New York as the All-Star outfielder, who has had two relapses since 2009, met with doctors for both Major League Baseball and the players’ association.