Hamilton selected as ALCS MVP

Josh Hamilton Got Another dousing of ginger ale on Friday night, this time culminating his MVP effort in the American League Championship Series in Helping the Texas Rangers to earn Their first trip to the World Series.

It's been a long road to success for Hamilton, the WHO, struggled with drug and alcohol abuse in the past. When Alex Rodriguez fanned for the final out in Texas' clinching 6-1 win over the Yankees in Game 6 of the ALCS, Hamilton pumped his fists and raced in from center field to join the fray near the mound.

"Baseball is a kid's game," Hamilton said. "We are all grown ups and have children, a lot of us, But we have to remember Where it all started and it's about having fun." We do that well Together. So I mean, the chemistry is just Unbelievable as far as in the Club House. We never take anything too Seriously. But at the sametime, our focus level is up, always. So it's been fun. "

Hamilton hit .350 with four homers and seven RBI in the ALCS during Easy Thurs garner MVP Honors. They's also the Leading Candidate for the regular season MVP after batting .359 with 32 homers and 100 RBI.

The 29-year-old Hamilton, The First Overall pick in the 1999 MLB draft by the Tampa Bay, Did not break into the Majors Until 2007 with Cincinnati. Between That time, a drug of addiction Derailed his career in 2001. They was Traded from the Reds to the Rangers Prior to the 2008 season.

Hamilton, the first outfielder To Be named MVP of the ALCS since the Yankees' David Justice in 2000, said in June the team realized They Could make a run to the postseason, and now they're one step away from the ultimate prize.

"We were just playing really good baseball," Hamilton said. "I mean, we were doing all of the things good teams do to win. Playing small ball, power, playing defense, pitching well, all Of These Things." We saw how it Could work if we did all of Those Things "and how good we Could Be. At That point, I think we started really Believing in ourselves and Believing That We Were Better Than Everybody Else. "