Josh Hamilton Is Leader and Face of Texas Rangers Franchise

Rusty Greer. Kenny Rogers. Pudge Rodriguez.

These are just three of the names of some of the most historic faces of the Texas Rangers.

Growing up in the Dallas area, I've followed the Rangers since I was a little kid. It's been nine years since the Rangers have played past the last day of the season. Since then, many of the so-called leaders of this team have come and gone.

Alex Rodriguez is clearly the biggest name. A-Rod couldn't bring the Rangers out of their misery. Neither could Alfonso Soriano. The latest victim was Mark Teixeria, who was traded to Atlanta last summer. None of these individuals, albeit as good of players as they are, could provide the leadership this young Rangers team needed.

Many experts argued that Rangers pitching was the biggest problem. Was it one of them? Absolutely, no doubt about it. But, in my mind, with decent pitching, a leader in the clubhouse is essential.

Look at the last few World Series winners. The Red Sox have David Ortiz. The Cardinals have Albert Pujols. The White Sox have Paul Konerko. Each of these teams had at least one player who, even without explicit designation, was the leader of his club, be it verbal or by his actions.

The Rangers haven't had someone like that since Rusty Greer retired and Ivan Rodriguez left following the 2002 season.

All of that changed in December of 2007.

When GM Jon Daniels traded top pitching prospect Edinson Volquez for former-No. 1-draft-pick-turned-drug-addict-turned-Rule 5-draft-pick Josh Hamilton, many of us Rangers fans were shocked. If pitching had been our problem, why trade a top prospect for a guy who had been on the DL twice during the year and really hadn't proven anything substantial?

Boy, were we wrong.

Hamilton has proven to be everything the Rangers have asked for. The near-Triple Crown numbers speak for themselves: .324 AVG, 13 HR, 58 RBI.

It's Josh Hamilton the person, though, that people don't see at the games.

He has single-handedly brought the Rangers up to near .500. Although that may not seem like a great number, for Rangers fans, it's wonderful. With a series win against Oakland this week, the Rangers could bump into second place in the AL West.

Hamilton has a track record of overcoming adversity and fulfilling the "if you set your mind to it, you can do it" mantra. Clubhouse leader Michael Young has embraced his new teammate. Second baseman Ian Kinsler calls Hamilton the best player he's ever seen.

Even Hamilton has fallen deep in the heart of Texas, from the very first day he arrived, stating the words "I'm home" during his press conference after his trade to the Rangers. 

Hamilton has done much more than the Rangers have asked him to do. He's fit perfectly in the No. 3 hole in the lineup. He's played a killer center field, not to mention the plays he makes in right field when his legs need some rest.

Daniels is working on a deal to keep Hamilton in a Rangers uniform for a very long time. Hamilton is proving to everyone out there that you can overcome the bad things in your life. He's proving that you can turn your life around. 

Rusty Greer. Kenny Rogers. Pudge Rodriguez. Josh Hamilton.

Pencil his name in as the next great Texas Rangers leader.