Alternate Universe

October 27, 2011 - Josh Hamilton hits a 10th inning home run to lead the Texas Rangers to a 9-7 win in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series.  The Rangers win the series 4-2 - their first MLB championship.

October 29, 2011 - During the rally for the champion Rangers, Josh Hamilton declares that he would love to spend the rest of his career in Texas.  GM Jon Daniels promises that the team will do whatever is necessary to keep the World Series MVP.

February 2, 2012 - Hamilton continues his victory tour, speaking to a group of high school students in Fort Worth, Texas.

May 8, 2012 - Hamilton goes 2-5 with a home run and 3 RBIs in a 5-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles. It's only Hamilton's fourth home run of the season, and it's an indication that the slugger is breaking out of his post-championship April slump.

July 8, 2012 - Hamilton hits his 26th and 27th home runs in a 9-3 win over the Minnesota Twins.  Riding a hot May and June, Hamilton is voted in as the starting center fielder in the All-Star game.  He receives the most votes of any player in history.

July 28, 2012 - Hamilton hits four home runs against Chicago, catapulting the Rangers to a 10-5 win over the White Sox.  After the game, Hamilton makes veiled hints that the team is getting closer to signing the slugger to an extension.

September 18, 2012 - Under pressure to get Hamilton signed, Jon Daniels announces a 4-year, $100 million extension for the World Series MVP.  Josh re-iterates that he wants to spend the rest of his career in Texas.

September 20, 2012 - Hamilton hits his fourth and fifth home run in a crucial three-game series in Anaheim.  The Rangers completed a 3-game sweep of the Angels, dropping the Rangers magic number to win the division to four with 13 games remaining.

October 11, 2012 - Despite an 0-3 game, Rangers' fans chant "M-V-P" for Hamilton in his final at-bat in game 5 of the American League Division Series.  The Rangers had no answer for Tigers' ace Justin Verlander, and the Rangers were eliminated.

December 13, 2012 - Speaking at an event at a North Texas church, 2012 MVP Josh Hamilton expresses relief that he already has a deal with Texas.  "I'm glad I'm not out there trying to get a job with some team," he says.

April 5, 2013 - Hamilton gets the loudest standing ovation when the 2013 Rangers are announced.  Hamilton claims the cheers are louder than any playoff game he's been a part of.

October 31, 2013 - Hamilton scores the go-ahead run as the Rangers win Game 7 of the World Series 5-3 over the Washington Nationals.  Hamilton declares the Ranger fans "the best in the world" as he accepts his second World Series MVP trophy.

November 8, 2016 - Hamilton agrees to a 2-year, $38 million deal with the Rangers.  Despite a noticeable drop in numbers, GM John Daniels believes that Hamilton can carve out a couple more years as a designated hitter.

May 21, 2018 - On his 37th birthday, Josh Hamilton strikes out three times in four plate appearances to drop his batting average to .192 on the season.  After the game, Hamilton jokes with reporters that he's playing poorly enough that he should be booed.  DFW sports reporters can't help but laugh at the idea, since no one can imagine a Texas crowd booing Josh Hamilton.

October 4, 2018 - With tears in his eyes, Josh Hamilton announced his retirement.  The 3-time MVP struggled through his final season in the majors, hitting .214 with 12 home runs working primarily as the Rangers' designated hitter.  Faced with impending free agency, Josh declares that he'd rather retire than play anywhere else.  Sources within the Rangers say that the Rangers' front office was relieved that Josh retired, noting pressure to re-sign the popular slugger from the fan base.

July 15, 2019 - In front of a sold-out crowd, Josh Hamilton is honored alongside several members of the 2011 and 2013 World Series teams as his number is retired.  "Josh, you will always be a Texas Ranger," says legend Michael Young in a pregame ceremony.