Rangers' Hamilton wins AL MVP; Cano a distant third

Josh Hamilton's unthinkable journey from the depths of drug and alcohol addiction to the major leagues took its latest remarkable twist Tuesday, when the Rangers centerfielder was voted the American League's Most Valuable Player.

"I would say there was a 99- percent chance that this would never happen," Hamilton said, reflecting on his lowest moments. "I mean, honestly, I think a lot of people would agree with that."

In the voting by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, Hamilton received 22 of 28 first-place votes en route to 358 points, easily surpassing the 262 totaled by Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera and 229 by Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano.

Hamilton, who led the league with a .359 average and a .633 slugging percentage, was voted MVP despite playing only 133 games, having missed 25 of the Rangers' final 30 because of broken ribs. The last time a position player won the award with fewer games played - not counting strike-shortened seasons - was in 1962, when Mickey Mantle won despite playing only 123.

Speaking on a conference call with reporters while taking his children to the doctor's office, Hamilton said he didn't think he was going to win because of the time he missed. "When people would talk to me about the possibility, that's what I would tell them," he said.

But based on the voting results released yesterday, there wasn't another candidate who forced the issue. Cabrera, who hit .328 with 38 home runs and 126 RBIs, received five first-place votes, and Jose Bautista, who hit 54 home runs for the fourth-place Blue Jays, received the other.

Cano, who was the Yankees' most consistent run-producer and set career highs with 29 home runs and 109 RBIs, received 12 second-place votes, 12 third-place votes, one for fourth and three for fifth. In a statement released by the Yankees, Cano called Hamilton "a great player and deserving of the award."

A first-round pick by Tampa Bay in 1999, Hamilton soon ran into trouble with drugs and alcohol, falling victim to a downward spiral that ultimately knocked him out of professional baseball for four years. The Reds took a flyer on him in the 2007 Rule V draft and he rewarded them with a breakthrough season, beginning one of the more inspiring redemption stories the sports world has produced in years.

Hamilton said Tuesday that he often reflects on his past troubles, using the memories as a defense mechanism that keeps him grounded. He also has a strong support system that includes his teammates, who chose to celebrate during the playoffs by spraying ginger ale rather than the customary champagne.

"This was the most fun I'd ever have with a group of guys playing together with that one common purpose and goal," Hamilton said. "That's hard to find on the professional level. You say you want to do it, but to have the right mix of guys is very rare. Hopefully, we can contain that for a few more years."