MLB regular season bests (11 images)

No one knows how Hamilton's average would have fared had he played the entire season, but in the 133 games he did play, he led the majors with a .359 average, almost 30 points higher than runner-up Carlos Gonzalez. On on his way to a possible AL MVP award, Hamilton just won the Sporting News Player of the Year award.

No one knows how he did it, but over the course of two season, Bautista went from 13 home runs in 2009 to hitting 54 this season, 12 more than runner-up Albert Pujols and 15 more than AL home run leader Paul Konerko.

After a late-season implosion and various allegations of sloth and anger issues, Cabrera bounced back with the best season of his already incredible career. In the running for the triple crown for much of the season, Cabrera finished with 126 RBIs, 38 home runs and a .328 average.

New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia throws a pitch in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium in New York City on July 22, 2010. UPI/John Angelillo