Josh Hamilton is Back

Almost every MLB player has some sort of slump during each season. Even the Bambino had some down years during his great career.  For decades we have watched great players come in and out of slumps, and every time we give up and move on, thinking their season is lost. Josh Hamilton had what many called an “extended slump”, with many of the great baseball minds wondering if his off the field issues would ruin his game for good. The last 30 games have done nothing but shut up all the doubters, and helped the Rangers move into first place in the American League in the process. Six weeks ago the baseball world was ready to give up and forget about Josh Hamilton, and that’s when he decided enough was enough. Since that time Josh has taken back his League leading RBI spot with 111, and battled for the home run lead, currently in second with 35, merely 3 behind Dunn of the Chicago White Sox. With a season many though was lost, Hamilton is making a hard push for MVP with 35 games to go. All these stats seem to make him the favorite, but what we have forgotten to discuss is what he does when he isn’t batting. Josh Hamilton is one of the best centerfielders in baseball, and if you ask around many will tell you that testing his arm is a mistake you only make once. Diving catches are a nightly thing in Texas when watching Josh Hamilton glide around the outfield like a Gazelle in the Serengeti.  With a 5.5 game lead in the AL West, and one game lead over the Yankees for home field in the playoffs, how can we help but flirt with MVP ideas? The next 35 games will tell us a lot, but don’t count out the hard hitting lefty from Texas.