Josh Hamilton hit four home runs Tuesday night at Baltimore, and it has accelerated what was already a tremendous start. He is unquestionably one of the most talented players ever to play the game.
If it weren't for substance abuse problems that delayed the start of his major league career by several years, Hamilton would be a certain Hall of Famer. As is, he is a long shot at best for that honor. Few would dispute he is a Hall of Fame talent, though.
Miguel Cabrera is off to a tepid start. His OPS is still above .800, but he can do that by osmosis. He is one of the most talented hitters of all time.
Both are great players, who have had extensively documented off-the-field issues. Given a chance between the two, I'd take Cabrera, however.
The reason: Consistency.
Since he was 21 years old, Cabrera has averaged 158 games played each season, never playing fewer than 150. He has had some years that were better than others in regard to hitting in the clutch. His first two seasons with the Tigers, Cabrera was not as good a clutch hitter as his reputation otherwise suggested. That changed in 2010 and 2011.
While Hamilton has played on back-to-back American League pennant winners, Cabrera played a key role for a world title team early in his career with the Marlins. While Hamilton has won an MVP Award, Cabrera could have easily won it that season (Cabrera has finished in the Top 5 in MVP voting five times).
Hamilton plays a premier position, center field, which is an obvious plus for him. He also runs well, while Cabrera not only does not have good speed, but is a poor base runner fundamentally. He is a good first baseman defensively, and a below average third baseman.
Thing about Cabrera, though, he is always there. You can almost put his numbers down at the start of the season and project what he is going to do. Hamilton is far more iffy. His numbers in 2009 and 2011 were down, albeit because of injuries.
Also, Cabrera is two years younger.
I tweeted this Tuesday night: "A great game by Josh Hamilton, but is he truly a great player? I get the sense when his career is done, it'll be about what could have been."
It was my initial reaction to his brilliant game. Some people took it as a slam on Hamilton. It wasn't meant to be. He is to be commended for coming back and having a career. It didn't seem possible in the early 2000s, especially reaching an extraordinary level. It speaks to his gifts, and his tenacity, but also to what could have been if he were fully able to apply himself from the moment he was drafted first overall by the Rays in 1999.
Given that Cabrera, foibles and all, has applied himself from the very beginning speaks more loudly for him as a truly great player.
My column: Why Cole Hamels was biting the hand that feeds him when he drilled Bryce Harper with a pitch: http://bit.ly/IUxw4r