Josh Hamilton Wins AL MVP

By Justin Worsley,

Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton has won the American League MVP award on Tuesday, becoming the first Ranger since Alex Rodriguez in 2003 to win the award.

Hamilton, 29, received 22 first-place votes while runner up Miguel Cabrera of Detroit received five. Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays received the other first-place vote and finished fourth. New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano finished third.

Hamilton led the majors with a .359 batting average and hit 32 home runs and 100 RBIs despite missing 29 games, most coming in September due to a rib injury. His .633 slugging percentage also led the majors.

The Rangers not only won their first playoff series in franchise history this season, they also made it to the World Series, where they lost to the San Francisco Giants in six games. Hamilton was also named the ALCS MVP after hitting four homes runs and seven RBIs as the Rangers defeated the reigning World Series champions the New York Yankees.

The Rangers become only the third team in the MLB to have two MVP award winners on the same roster. Designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero won the award in 2004 with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Philadelphia Phillies (Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins) and the Minnesota Twins (Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau) also have multiple MVP award winners.