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Josh Hamilton: I was neglected by Angels owner Arte Moreno

Kyle Terada / USA TODAY Sports

A trade to the Texas Rangers hasn't ended the drama surrounding Josh Hamilton's departure from Los Angeles.

The embattled slugger went on the record Friday, stating the Angels front office prevented him, on multiple occasions, from communicating with owner Arte Moreno.

"Even when I was there and playing in 2013 and wasn't being the guy I was supposed to be – in 2014 the same thing – I reached out to Arte," Hamilton said prior to a minor league game. "I wanted to talk to him and tell him I'm working my butt off and I want to be the guy he's played against all these years, but I was always turned down by the general manager and the team president. They said they would let him know."

Hamilton admitted to a drug and alcohol relapse in late February, which resulted in him being dealt to the Rangers. He's now rehabbing in the Rangers' minor league system and working his way back to the big leagues following shoulder surgery.

"Same thing after this incident and after surgery," Hamilton added. "I talked to (Angels GM) Jerry DiPoto. 'You know Jerry, I'd love to talk to Arte and reassure him that things are OK,' and he turned me down again."

Hamilton inked a lucrative five-year, $125-million contract with the Angels in December 2012.

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