Hamilton Takes Long Route to AL MVP

Hamilton with runner-up Detroit's Cabrera.

It was the season dreams are made of. That was espcially true for Texas Rangers ourfielder Josh Hamilton.

Hamilton was rewarded with the American League MVP today. Well deserved for a season well played.

So much has been made of Hamilton's past. Here's the extremely short version.

Selected #1 overall in 1999. Falling into the traps of drugs and alcohol. Got his life back together. Being offered a second chance when the Chicago Cubs selection of him in the Rule V draft. That same day (December 7, 2006) being purchased by the Cincinnati Reds. (Yes, he was purchased, just like a sack of potatoes at your local grocer.) Having a very good 2007 and then being shipped to Texas for Edinson Volquez.

And who will forget the display during the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium in 2008? He completely electrified those in attendance. It was a precursor of things to come.

Well, I know one "person" that will never forget...





Hamilton led the AL in RBI in 2008 with 130 and was seventh in the MVP voting that season. (Boston's Dustin Pedroia won it that year in case you forgot. Admittedly, I forgot despite the commercial he did for a video game.)

Hamilton's 2010? Scary good.

Year	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2010	133	518	95	186	40	3	32	100	43	95	.359	.411	.633	1.044

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/23/2010.

Hamilton led the majors in batting average, slugging percentage and OPS. Question the fact he only played in 133 games, but the MVP routinely is awarded to a player whose team at least won its division. Without Hamilton, the Rangers may not have won the AL West.

No question the baseball world of Josh Hamilton has made a complete circle. A circle that began with addiction to a rebirth in the city where the baseball's first professional team resides to a shot at winning baseball's ultimate prize: a World Series ring. Only Hollywood could possibly produce such an incredible story.

But this isn't a script or screenplay. It's real life and Josh Hamilton has the lead.