Josh Hamilton: 4 Reasons His MVP Award Is a Travesty

Josh Hamilton is an amazing baseball player. He had an amazing year. His story is amazing.

But his winning the MVP is a joke, an absolute joke. It spits in the face of MVP precedent.

He only won the award because of his popularity and his rehabilitation story. He missed a month of baseball. Josh Hamilton was not the most valuable player in the American League in 2010.

4. It's Just a Popularity Contest

We get it already

Josh Hamilton's story is amazing. But we get it already. Every time he comes to the plate, you don't have to retell the story. They did it through the regular season and playoffs. And it's annoying.

The MVP race came down to a popularity contest. And who's more popular than a white, Christian guy who has turned his life around?

3. Carlos Quentin (2008)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - AUGUST 25: Carlos Quentin #20 of the Chicago White Sox runs after hitting a triple in the 9th inning against the Baltimore Orioles at U.S. Cellular Field on August 25, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Orioles defeated the White Sox 4-2. (Photo by

Carlos Quentin, in 2008, was the leading American League MVP candidate. With a month of baseball left, he already had 36 home runs and 100 RBI while batting .288. However, he was injured and was eliminated as a contender for the MVP by the media.

However, the same thing happened to Josh Hamilton (who ended up with 32 home runs and 100 RBI, while batting .359). Hamilton is still being lauded as a leading frontrunner for the MVP.

Quentin's White Sox made the playoffs in 2008 because of Quentin, and he finished fifth in voting. Quentin finished with 569 plate appearances in 2008; Hamilton finished with 571.

2. Matt Holliday (2007)

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - JULY 20: Matt Holliday #5 of the Colorado Rockies plays defense against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Coors Field on July 20, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Pirates 11-3. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Matt Holliday had an amazing 2007 season. His final numbers were .340 batting average, 36 home runs, 137 RBI, 11 stolen bases and 1.012 OPS in 158 games.

However, he didn't win the MVP because people credited Coors Field with inflating his numbers. Look at his home/away splits:

Home: .376 avg, 25 home runs, 82 RBI, 1.157 OPS
Away: .301 avg, 11 home runs, 55 RBI, .860 OPS

It's interesting because nobody is talking about how inflated Josh Hamilton's numbers because of the Ballpark in Arlington, an extremely hitter-friendly park. Look at his splits:

Home:  .390 avg, 22 home runs, 57 RBI, 1.188 OPS
Away: .327 avg, 10 home runs, 43 RBI, .894 OPS

So while Matt Holliday's home-field advantage cost him the MVP award, Josh Hamilton is getting almost zero detractions because of his home-field advantage. 

1. More Deserving Candidates

Michael Buckner/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 13: American League All-Star Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers and American League All-Star Robinson Cano #24 of the New York Yankees during the 81st MLB All-Star Game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 13, 2010 in Anaheim, Cal

Miguel Cabrera deserves the AL MVP for 2010. The playoffs argument is silly, as five times since 2001 the MVP has been won by a player whose team did not make the playoffs.

Miguel Cabrera had an amazing offensive season, especially since he has zero protection and rookies were the biggest contributors to the team. Cabrera batted .328 with 38 home runs, 126 RBI and a 1.042 OPS. He finished top three in triple-crown categories and second in runs and OPS.

But if you're going to focus on the playoffs, then Robinson Cano is more deserving than Josh Hamilton. He batted .319 with with 29 home runs, 109 RBI and a .914 OPS while playing Gold Glove defense.

Not too shabby for a second baseman.