Hamilton, Cano vie for AL MVP honors

Josh Hamilton's transformation from drug and alcohol addict to perennial All-Star has been a story line seemingly taken from a movie script, and it could be capped this afternoon with the Texas Rangers centerfielder receiving the American League MVP award.

But the Yankees' Robinson Cano can't be completely counted out, either.

Although Hamilton is seen as the hands-down favorite after hitting .359 with a .633 slugging percentage, his candidacy is hurt by the fact that he was out from Sept. 4-Oct. 1 because of two broken ribs.

The last time an American League position player won the MVP with fewer than 133 games played - not counting strike-shortened seasons - was Mickey Mantle (123 games) in 1962.

Last season, Minnesota's Joe Mauer won the award having played in only 138 games.

Cano played 160 games and hit .319 with career highs of a .381 on-base percentage and .534 slugging percentage. The second baseman also set career bests with 29 homers and 109 RBIs and won his first Gold Glove.

Although Cano was the Yankees' most consistent run producer, it could hurt his candidacy that he hits in one of baseball's deepest lineups.

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Detroit's Miguel Cabrera and Toronto's Jose Bautista also figure to receive significant votes from the Baseball Writers Association of America.