Outfielder Josh Hamilton has already battled back from the absolute brink, so he's not about to get scared by the Sports Illustrated cover jinx.
"I don't even know what that is," Hamilton said Wednesday after being told a feature on him was the cover story in the magazine that hits newsstands Thursday. "Jinxes are made to be broken anyway, aren't they?" Hamilton is the first Ranger to appear on the cover of the magazine since Ivan Rodriguez on Aug. 11, 1997.
The story on Hamilton is another retelling of his amazing journey in baseball, from No. 1 overall pick, to being suspended for three years for substance-abuse problems to making the Cincinnati roster as a Rule 5 draftee last year. The latest chapter has him in the thick of the races in all three Triple Crown categories this season.
"You are always glad when stuff like this happens," Hamilton said of the exposure he's getting. "It would be nicer to be on the cover holding the World Series trophy."
RANGERS 12, RAYS 6: The Rangers played for one insurance run late Tuesday and ended up with five and a big win. With Jarrod Saltalamacchia at second, Ramon Vazquez laid down a bunt. But when Rays catcher Dioner Navarro was late with a throw to third to force the lead runner, the Rangers had something much bigger on their hands. Ian Kinsler followed with a run-scoring single, Michael Young walked and then Josh Hamilton, who was picked first overall by Tampa Bay in the 1999 draft, hit a grand slam.
The win pushed the Rangers back to .500 and clinched a winning road trip. They are 5-3 heading into the final game of the Tampa Bay series Wednesday. If they win that game, it will give them 10 consecutive series without a loss.
