Support system with Josh Hamilton

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Hamilton Prepared For LA

Josh Hamilton talks about transitioning to a new team, Albert Pujols, and LA living.Tags: MLB, Karl Ravech, Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols, Angels, Spring Training

Hamilton Prepared For LA

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• Hamilton Prepared For LA

  Hamilton Prepared For LA

  Josh Hamilton talks about transitioning to a new team, Albert Pujols, and LA living.Tags: MLB, Karl Ravech, Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols, Angels, Spring Training
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As he prepares to embark on his first season with the Angels, slugger Josh Hamilton said Wednesday he's not worried about the temptations he might have to overcome this season while playing in Los Angeles.

“

It's anywhere. It all comes down to choices you make. If you want to get into trouble, you'll get into trouble.

” -- Josh Hamilton, on temptations he might face in Los Angeles

The 31-year-old outfielder, who signed a five-year, $125 million contract with the Angels this offseason, was considered a risk by some teams because of his history of alcohol and substance abuse, which derailed his career before his surge with the Rangers during the past five seasons. Hamilton had a relapse with alcohol in January of last year and another one in 2009.

In an interview with ESPN's Karl Ravech on Wednesday, Hamilton said he's not worried about the temptations in his new home city.

"It's anywhere. It all comes down to choices you make. If you want to get into trouble, you'll get into trouble," he said.

"Support system is big ... everybody concerned about it being a difficult situation or a unique situation. Well, it's not. My support system is God, my family and Shayne Kelley (Hamilton's accountability partner) -- and all those guys are here with me."

Teammate C.J. Wilson, a teammate of Hamilton's with the Texas Rangers as well, also said he's not worried about Hamilton having problems off the field.

"When [Angels president] John Carpino called me this offseason, I was like, 'I will move next to Josh if that's what you want me to do. I will drive him to the field every day if that's what you want me do.' I have a lot of faith in him because I played with him for five years," Wilson told ESPN. "So I'm not worried about those things as much. I don't think those things ever effected his play. There's a lot of guys in the major leagues that do a lot worse than Josh does."

Hamilton was also asked Wednesday about the expectations with the contract he signed this offseason. The 2010 AL MVP, who hit a career-high 43 home runs last season and batted .285 with 128 RBIs in 148 games, said he's not worried.

"I learned a couple of years ago that the world is result-based and every time you come to the plate they flash your numbers in front of your face," he said. "So If I can find a way to take the result part out of it and say, 'You know what, pray before every game, how can I help my team win tonight? '

"Whether it be a game-winning hit or a hit, period, or a nice catch or score the winning run or whatever the case may be ... or pat somebody on the butt ... that's how I need to approach the game. The results part will take care of itself."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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