Josh Hamilton started the 2010 Major League Baseball season slowly hitting for a decent average, but lacking in the power and run producing departments. The 2008 AL RBI leader had been overshadowed by new teammate Vladamir Guerrero and outfield buddy Nelson Cruz. All that has changed thanks to Hamilton's torrid June where the Texas slugger is batting .476 with 8 HRs and 26 RBIs to go along with a current 17 game hitting streak. This current exhibition has catapulted Hamilton back into spotlight among baseball followers and will now likely find himself once again starting in the outfield at the All-Star Game in Anaheim come July.
Make no mistake, Hamilton is the centerpiece of the Texas line-up and been the catalyst for the Rangers' current 9 game winning streak. After coming out of nowhere in 2008, Hamilton struggled through nagging injuries all of last season and again early on this year. His offensive outburst has silenced any naysayers who believed that his 2008 breakout season was a fluke. Hamilton's story is well documented, but still no less amazing. He continues to defy the odds and mesmerize fans with his all-around play. Despite everything he has battled through, the 29 year old Hamilton has performed at such a high level it is hard to argue against him as being one of the most gifted players in the game today. The financially strapped Rangers will need to rely on Hamilton to continue being one of the most dominant hitters at the plate if they hope to be playing in October.
Josh Hamilton is Major League Baseball's next superstar. Hamilton had become an afterthought to most baseball observers after being the first overall selection in the 1999 MLB Draft by Tampa Bay. Hamilton's talent was so immense he was mentioned in the same breathe as Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez. He was destined to be baseball's next great star, but his fast track to the majors was derailed by drug addiction. Hamilton's struggles to stay clean have been well documented and the Tampa Bay organization never gave up on him throughout his journey back. He was finally able to conquer his substance abuse problems in 2006 and has been clean ever since. Inexplicably, after sticking with Hamilton throughout his dark days, Tampa Bay left Hamilton unprotected in the Rule 5 draft where he was selected by the Chicago Cubs and then traded to Cincinnati. Hamilton flashed his potential in 2007 with the Reds despite battling injuries and being bounced around the line-up. Hamilton was traded to Texas in the off-season for highly regarded prospect Edinson Volquez and both players have prospered in their new surroundings. Hamilton is the starting center fielder, firmly entrenched in the number three spot of the Rangers' line-up and exhibiting his elite natural ability at the plate. Baseball observers are now noticing Hamilton again as he was named American League Player of the Month. Hamilton batted .330 with 6 home runs and 32 RBIs during the first month of the season. As baseball tries to move past the "Steroid Era," there isn't a better story going than Josh Hamilton. Anyone who loves baseball should being rooting for Hamilton because his story is one deserving of more attention.
Josh Hamilton started the 2010 Major League Baseball season slowly hitting for a decent average, but lacking in the power and run producing departments. The 2008 AL RBI leader had been overshadowed by new teammate Vladamir Guerrero and outfield buddy Nelson Cruz. All that has changed thanks to Hamilton's torrid June where the Texas slugger is batting .476 with 8 HRs and 26 RBIs to go along with a current 17 game hitting streak. This current exhibition has catapulted Hamilton back into spotlight among baseball followers and will now likely find himself once again starting in the outfield at the All-Star Game in Anaheim come July.
