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.

Happy the Rangers Won?

I am...but I don't say that because I'm a Yankee hater. While I'm not a fan of the Yankees, I do believe that you sincerely have to respect them. I'm also not a Rangers fan, but I've learned to enjoy watching this team. I've also learned to appreciate all that has happened during this 2010 season for Texas.

Now that the Texas Rangers will be playing in their first World Series, there are a few people I am extremely happy for that are associated with the franchise.

First, I am happy for their fans. If you've followed this franchise from its beginnings, you encompass not only almost 50 years of never playing in the Fall Classic, you also encompass the franchise's start in D.C. when they were called the Washington Senators. Of course, the original Senators are now the Minnesota Twins.

Ryan hoists AL Trophy

I'm also happy for Nolan Ryan. His name has been attached to the franchise for quite a while now. As part of a new ownership group, Ryan has every reason in the world to smile. The Rangers have held a stigma of not being a winning team. One off-season doesn't necessarily change that tune, but it's always a positive step in the right direction.

Are the Yankees Really in Trouble?

Most would answer this question yes...with perhaps a bit of hesitation. I agree they're in trouble, but they can come back, can't they?

Maybe not. Much has already been made about how quiet the Yankees bats have been save Game 1. Since that game, New York is hitting an catastrophic .168. It's not any better with runners in scoring position. That average drops to .111. Oh, the bats woke up toward the end of Game 1, but those bats have been pretty much silent since then.

There are only two Yankees hitting over .300. Robinson Cano (.407) has been the thorn in the Rangers' side. Curtis Granderson (.318) has provided a bit of hitting from the bottom of the order. Derek Jeter is next at .281. The next Yankees starter is Brett Gardner. His average? A sparkling .227.

Can CC cure the Yankees ails?

And now, the Yankees will rely on 21-game winner CC Sabathia. Usually, a good thing, but CC was hittable in Game 1. He lasted only four innings, allowed 5 runs on 6 hits. The most notable hit was Josh Hamilton's first-inning three-run homer. The other damaging hit was a 4th inning, two-run double by Michael Young.

ALCS Matchups

The American League Championship Series kicks off tonight with the New York Yankees visiting the Texas Rangers. Here a quick look at the positional comparisons.

First Base: Mark Teixeira v. Mitch Moreland/Jorge Cantu
While Tex suffered a bit offensively in 2010, it did not have an adverse effect on his glove. The Rangers have been searching all season for that one guy that can play the position every day. Rangers manager Ron Washington has inserted Mitch Moreland in for now.
Advantage: Yankees. Tex is still the best glove at the position.


 Second Base: Robinson Cano v. Ian Kinsler
What a matchup this is between the two best young second basemen in the game. Cano will receive some AL MVP consideration and no one is smoother at turning a double play. Kinsler has battled injuries this season, but the bat is back.
Advantage: Yankees. Only because Cano has done it all year long.

Shortstop: Derek Jeter v. Elvis Andrus
Jeter is Mr. Yankee for a reason. Andrus proved the stage wasn't too bright for him as he hit .333 in the ALDS against a good Rays staff.
Advantage: Yankees. C'mon. It's Jeter.

Rangers, Lee Dominate Rays in Game 1

It didn't start out like a typical Cliff Lee outing.

The Tampa Bay Rays loaded the bases in the bottom of the first with only one out. If only Tampa Bay could have scored a couple of runs in their first at-bat, the outcome may have been different. Instead, Lee wiggled out of the inning unscathed by striking out both Carlos Pena and Rocco Baldelli.

It was all Texas from there.

An RBI double from Jeff Francoeur and an RBI single from Bengie Molina in the second accounted for two runs off Rays starter David Price. Homers by Nelson Cruz in the top of the third and a Molina blast in the fourth made the score 4-0 after only four innings. Texas would add another run off of a double by Vladamir Guerrero in the fifth. 5-0 Rangers.

The Rays wouldn't get to Lee until the bottom of the seventh. Ben Zobrist accounted for Tampa Bay's first run with a solo shot off Lee.

Lee was masterful after a shaky first inning.

But the day belonged to Lee.

Sure the Rangers supplied him with a large lead, but after that first inning, Lee gave no indication that the Rays would threaten. And he kept the big bats in Tampa's lineup well in check. While facing Lee, Carlos Pena struck out three times. B. J. Upton could not get on base. For seven innings, Lee surrendered only five hits and the one run while striking out 10 Rays. Overall, 13 Rays were rung up via the strikeout.

Price wasn't as fortunate as Lee. After the Rays one big chance fell massively short, all the momentum swung the way of Texas. The Rangers grabbed that momentum and rolled to a 5-1 win.