Hamilton AL MVP

[snipezo]

NEW YORK -- Josh Hamilton thought back to the days when his career was derailed by drugs and alcohol.

"I would say a 99 per cent chance that this would never happen," he said. "I mean, honestly, I think a lot of people would agree with that."

In one of baseball's most inspirational turnarounds, the Texas Rangers outfielder was a runaway winner of the American League's Most Valuable Player award Tuesday. Hamilton received 22 first-place votes and 358 points from the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Former Cincinnati Reds teammate Joey Votto of Toronto was voted the NL MVP a day earlier.

Hamilton overcame eight trips to rehabilitation for addiction to lead the major leagues in batting average (.359) and slugging percentage (.633) and help the Rangers reach their first World Series. He had 32 homers and 100 RBIs despite missing time nearly all of September because of two broken ribs.

After going on the disabled list in 2001 while in the minors, he became addicted to alcohol and cocaine. He didn't play from 2003-05.

 

[Elite]

Good for him, was hoping Cano was gonna win it, despite not deserving it. I think MCab might have been a bit more deserving but you couldn't go wrong with either of the two.

 

[RipCity32]

Kind of pissed Cabrera didn't get it. But it's still deserving for Hamilton. Nice story.

 

[elcheato]

Well deserved by Josh. Great comeback story.

 

[Phil The Thrill]

Great to see him win after what he has gone through.

 

[cruzg24]

This is a tough one, Miggy had a couple of better stats than Josh, but Josh is a great defensive player and I have a high regard for great defense so Im happy for Hamilton that he won it. He has gone through a lot and to see him win the MVP is a great story.