Texas Rangers Continue To Rise
In 2014, the Texas Rangers were one of the worst teams in baseball — they were the worst in their division and league in the Al West.
The first place team was the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Last year, Josh Hamilton was with the Rangers doing his best to help the Anaheim Angels make the playoffs — which they did.
He also did his best in the playoffs.
He came out to LA to overcome his troubles he has had in the past.
The Rangers traded him to the Angels because of his substance abuse issues.
The Angels took him in and embraced him and were hoping he was the to fill for a World Series run.
They and him were doing great until they faced the Royals then it just didn’t go so well after that.
More from LA Sports Hub
- Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run
- LA Chargers: Week 8 against Denver Broncos is a must-win
- LA Rams: Jared Goff wants to keep the Los Angeles title streak going
- Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Rajon Rondo
- LA Chargers: Justin Herbert wins AFC Rookie of the Month
The whole team struggled in the postseason because they faced the Kansas City Royals and didn’t have a comeback or even answer for them.
Josh Hamilton was traded back to the Texas Rangers in the summer and the off-season.
The Angels and Hamilton simply didn’t accomplish what they wanted.
When traded back to the Rangers, it was a sort of homecoming for him.
They organization that traded him welcomed him back and gave him a support system in place fro his substance struggles.
Before he left the Rangers to the Angels he helped take them to two World Series in 2010 and 2011.
He was with the Angels from 2013-12015.
Since Hamilton relapsed with his addiction to drugs and alcohol they Angels cut ties with him and traded him back to the Angels.
He did have some unfortunate injuries as well.
He didn’t get to play for them until mid-season.
While with them he would be receiving medical attention for his relapse.
Live Feed
Nolan Writin'
With Josh Hamilton coming home, this was good news for Texas Rangers fans.
The question was could he get back to being in top shape and who he was when he was with them in the two World Series?
Everyone was wondering how he would recover from his injuries and if he would able to perform the same way he has his whole career.
The obvious answer now, is yes.
He helped the Texas Rangers go worst to first in the span of one year.
They have a commanding series lead of 2-0 over the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Rangers can close them out with a sweep and make it to the ALCS and be one series closer to the World Series.
With Hamilton back home they have a great chance of making the World Series.
If they hold on to win in the ALDS, they will either face the Kansas City Royals or their in-state rivals the Houston Astros.
If the Astros win, that will actually help baseball a lot because both Texas teams were really bad last year.
It just goes to show you baseball is all about time and patience and how much can change in the span of a year.
The Rangers welcomed Hamilton back, helped him with is relapse and addiction by giving him a support system, and embraced him during his rehab with his addictions and injuries.
The support for him and the team as whole has helped him and the team and they are back in the playoffs with a great possibility of making the World Series.
What would make it cool and purposeful is if they could make ti to the world series and then win the World Series which will be a tough task because of most of the teams with the best records are in the NL.
There is a high possibility we could see the Rangers and Cubs in the World Series after just last year being a few of the teams that were the worst and didn’t make it to the playoffs.
Hamilton is one of the main reasons the Rangers are back in the playoffs.
Ponder this thought for a second; he was traded to the Angels after he helped the Rangers to two World Series.
With the Angels, they made the playoffs but missed the World Series.
They didn’t want to deal with his relapse so they traded him back to the Rangers.
Bottom Line: Josh Hamilton is an excellent x-factor.
With the Angels the Rangers were one of the worst teams in baseball after acquiring a top prospect pitcher in Yu Darvish.
Then when he is traded back home to the Rangers they are in the playoffs and won their division.
This just goes to show how much Josh Hamilton is worth and how much of an impact and influence he has on the team