Josh Hamilton named 2010 Sporting News Major League Player of the Year

Arlington, Texas – Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton has been voted as the 2010 Sporting News Major League Baseball Player of the Year, the publication announced today.

In addition, Rangers designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero was selected as SN’s 2010 American League Comeback Player of the Year. Hamilton and Guerrero were also named to the 2010 Sporting News A.L. ALL-Star Team.

Voting for Sporting News’ 2010 baseball awards was done by major league players, managers and general managers. Ballots were distributed to all 30 teams, and 326 players, 24 general managers and 25 managers participated in the voting. Players voted for player of the year, comeback players of the year and rookies of the year; managers voted for the managers of the year; and general managers voted for the All-Star teams.

Hamilton becomes the third Ranger to ever win Sporting News MLB Player honors, joining Rafael Palmeiro in 1999 and Alex Rodriguez in 2002. Jeff Burroughs (1974) and Ruben Sierra (1989) were named as A.L. Players of the Year by Sporting News.

Hamilton dethroned St. Louis Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols, who won the award in both 2008 and 2009.

“What a great story Josh was this season,” said Pujols. “He was a guy I always knew had the talent. There aren’t many guys who can steal 30 to 40 bags, get you 40 home runs, hit .350 and have a plus, plus arm. Those guys are tough to find, but he is one of them.”

Hamilton led the majors with a .359 batting average and a .633 slugging percentage in 2010 with 32 home runs and 100 RBI in 133 games. He is 5-for-15 with 4 homers, 7 RBI, and 5 walks in the first four games of the 2010 ALCS vs. the Yankees.

Guerrero, who batted .300 with 29 homers and 115 RBI in 152 games in his first season in Texas in 2010, is the sixth Ranger to win Sporting News A.L. Comeback Player of the Year, joining Ferguson Jenkins (1974), Jose Guzman (1991), Jose Canseco (1994), Kevin Elster (1996), and Ruben Sierra (2001).

The 2010 MLB awards are announced in the October 25 issue of Sporting News, which hits newsstands this week.

2010 Sporting News A.L All-Star Team
C – Joe Mauer, Twins
1B – Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
2B – Robinson Cano, Yankees
3B – Evan Longoria, Rays
SS – Alexei Ramirez, White Sox
OF – Josh Hamilton, Rangers
OF – Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
OF – Carl Crawford, Rays
DH – Vladimir Guerrero, Rangers
SP – Felix Hernandez, Mariners
RP – Rafael Soriano, Rays