Hamilton takes backseat to Kinsler in ire of Texas

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Josh Hamilton may no longer be public enemy No. 1 in Texas.

The title belonged to C.J. Wilson in 2012, until Hamilton took it from him by signing with the Angels and calling Dallas a "football town." Now, it's Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler, who said in an 'ESPN The Magazine' story that he hopes the Rangers go 0-162 and called general manager Jon Daniels "a sleazeball."

Asked about the comments from his ex-teammate, Hamilton smiled and said: "At least I won't be the only villain in Texas now."

A few hours later, Hamilton tweeted what appeared to be a playful nudge at Kinsler, writing: Not any fun being in the Texas doghouse, is it @IKinsler3?

Hamilton wasn't surprised by Kinsler's comments.

"He's very competitive," Hamilton said of his teammate from 2008-12.

Asked from Tigers camp about his comments, which were published online Tuesday morning, Kinsler said "the story was written for drama and taken a little out of context, but it is what it is, and I really don't have anything else to say besides that."

"He's his own man," Hamilton said. "He can speak how he wants to speak."