The Rangers as a whole seem to be headed toward a disappointing finish. At 80-65, Texas is 6.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL Wild Card race. On Wednesday, the Rangers got shut out by the Oakland Athletics and lost their fourth straight contest.

Even if the Rangers surprisingly get help from Hamilton before the end of the season, he hasn’t been the force he was last season. On the year, he’s hitting .270 with ten homers, 49 RBIs and 43 runs. Last season, he hit .304 with 32 homers, 130 RBIs and 98 runs.

On Friday, the Rangers start a do or die series against the Los Angeles Angels. If they continue their losing ways, their postseason hopes will be history.

Josh Hamilton - Texas Rangers (Image: Zuma Press)

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Said Hamilton: “I’m embarrassed about it. For the Rangers, I’m embarrassed about it. For my wife, my kids. It’s one of those things that just reinforces about alcohol.”

In the pictures, Hamilton is seen with a number of women — all of whom aren’t his wife. There is also whip cream utilization.

On the season, Hamilton’s production is way down. After hitting .304 with 32 homers and 130 RBIs last season, Hamilton is hitting just .235 with eight homers and 33 RBIs this season. He’s also struggled with a number of injuries.

The Josh Hamilton pictures likely won’t cause him to get suspended by the Rangers or Major League Baseball. The Rangers say they support Hamilton and that they were informed of the relapse when it occurred.

Josh Hamilton Relapse (Image: Zuma Press)

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Josh Hamilton Admits Alcohol Relapse

Not only is Volquez out for the rest season, he’ll likely be out until the 2010 All-Star break — at the earliest. For the 26-year-old, this is obviously very bad news. Coming into this season, Volquez was regarded as one of the better pitching prospects in the National League.

Last year, Volquez had a 3.21 ERA to go along with a 17-6 record. He also had 206 strikeouts in 196 innings. This year, he was 4-2 with a 4.35 ERA prior to leaving his June 1st start due to an injured elbow.

Volquez was acquired by the Reds prior to the 2008 baseball season in a trade that sent Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers. Prior to this news, it could be said that the trade had worked out well for both teams.

Edinson Volquez - Cincinnati Reds (Image: Zuma Press)

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After the game, Hamilton reported that he felt good. Although he didn’t play in the field, he reportedly looked smooth running the bases.

After being one of the best stories in baseball last year, Hamilton hasn’t been as hot this year. In 35 games, Hamilton is hitting .240 with six homers and 24 RBIs. He also has 20 runs, five doubles, two triples and three stolen bases.

Both Hamilton and the Rangers believe that he could return to the big league level by this coming weekend. If he doesn’t, might start out as the designated hitter and then eventually return to his spot in the Rangers’ outfield.

Josh Hamilton - Texas Rangers (Image: Newscom)

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Josh Hamilton Getting Closer to Return

Josh Hamilton - Texas, Rangers (Image: Newscom)

As a result of what the MRI indicated, Texas has played Hamilton on the disabled list. The quickest doctors say that the outfielder could return to the lineup would be in two weeks, however the Rangers are unlikely to bring him back that fast. That is especially true since this is already Hamilton’s second stint on the DL this year.

To replace him on the roster, the Rangers called up Brandon Boggs. The 26-year-old Boggs hasn’t played in the major leagues so far this season.

Although Hamilton isn’t on the same pace that he was last season, he’s still a very important part to the Rangers. He’s currently hitting .240 with six homers and 24 RBIs. At 30-21, the Rangers have the second best record in the American League.

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Josh Hamilton Back on the Disabled List

Prior to last season, the Cincinnati Reds acquired Volquez in a deal that sent Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers. Although Hamilton blew up in Texas, Volquez was also really good. Last year, the native of the Dominican Republic was 17-6 with 206 strikeouts in 196 innings to go along with a 3.21 ERA.

This season, Volquez was 4-2 in his eight starts with a 4.25 ERA. The 25-year-old was actually a bit better than that ERA indicates — especially when you consider that he is sporting a National League best .185 batting average against stat.

With a record of 26-23, the Reds need Volquez to come back strong if the team wants to make a legit run at the 2009 baseball playoffs.

Edinson Volquez Injury Update (Image: Zuma Press)

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Edinson Volquez Set to Return for Reds

After going without a hit in his first three at-bats, Hamilton came to the plate in the seventh inning with the game tied 1-1. With one swing, Hamilton put the Rangers up 3-1 when he hit a homer against the Seattle Mariners. Texas never trailed again and beat Seattle by a final count of 7-1.

Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers (Image: Newscom)

The Rangers have now sit in first place in the AL West after winning eight of their last ten games. At 18-14, Texas has outscored their opponents by 21 runs, which is the third largest margin in the American League behind the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox.

If Hamilton can find the swing that made him such a story last season, he could help lead the Rangers to the playoffs for one of the few times in team history.

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Josh Hamilton Returns with a Bang

The Coach Matters: Life Lessons Beyond The Playing Field by Venus Williams

“Williams will reflect on how her own coaches’ advice, including that of her father and mother, helped her make tennis history and succeed in the business world and beyond. The tennis star will interview other business, sports, entertainment, fashion and political icons who had high school, college or professional coaches whose sports maxims translated well off the court and field.” (Publishers Weekly)

An Untitled Memoir by Josh Hamilton

“Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton’s comeback story from blue chip prospect to addict to American League All Star; after being confronted by his grandmother at rock bottom, Hamilton embraced Christianity, found his faith, and made it back to the pinnacle of his profession.” (Prayers For Blowouts)

Two stories worth checking out in a few years.

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