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Josh Hamilton, author of Beyond Belief, Awarded

November 24, 2010

Josh Hamilton wins American League MVP!

Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers outfielder and author of the New York Times bestselling autobiography BEYOND BELIEF, was named the recipient of the American League Most Valuable Player award. Josh leads the league in batting average and slugging percentage and helped lead the Rangers to their first-ever World Series in 2010. This season, Josh had 32 homeruns and 100 RBI’s, even though he missed most of September due to two broken ribs.

Josh Hamilton was the first player chosen in the first round of the 1999 baseball draft. He was known not only for his gargantuan homeruns, his speed on the bases and his fielding talent, but also for his caring and humble character. He was destined to be one of those rare “high-character” superstars. But in 2001, working his way from the minors to the majors, all of the plans for Josh went off the rails in a moment of weakness. What followed was a four year nightmare of drugs and alcohol, estrangement from friends and family, and his eventual suspension from baseball.

But Hamilton’s story doesn’t end there. Behind his record-breaking performance at the 2008 All-Star Home Run Derby in Yankee Stadium, a spot on the starting line-up for the 2008 All-Star Game, and a trip to the 2010 World Series is a bigger journey – one of spiritual redemption and triumph.

Josh Hamilton's best-selling book, Beyond Belief

In BEYOND BELIEF, Josh explains how a young man destined for fame and wealth could allow his life to be taken over by drugs and alcohol. He chronicles the details and depths of his addiction, as well as the inspirational, life affirming memories of his spiritual journey that breaks through pain and heartbreak and leads to the rebirth of his major league career. It is also the story of how his ever faithful wife believed God had bigger plans than just baseball for her husband.

Hamilton makes no excuses, sharing never-before-told stories of his harrowing experiences and details what helped him overcome the hurt and desperation. This memoir is his testimony and his message of hope for the millions who battle the same demons. “I have been given a platform to tell my story,” he says. “I pray every night I am a good messenger.”