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DALLAS -- Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton freely bent his left leg back and forth without feeling any pain seven weeks after extensive surgery on his knee.While still a long time from getting back on the field, Hamilton said Thursday that he anticipates being fully healthy and ready when the Rangers get to spring training in Arizona before next season.Im just really excited that I feel likes it better, I feel like its fixed, Hamilton said. Now the only thing is taking my time, strengthen it up and be ready for next year.During surgery June 8 in Houston, Hamiltons anterior cruciate ligament was reconstructed. Dr. Walt Lowe also repaired meniscus and lateral cartilage in the knee.That was Hamiltons third surgery on the knee since September, along with cortisone shots and a stem cell and a platelet-rich plasma injection during spring training that may have actually led to more damage.When Hamilton went for a recent checkup, he told the doctor he felt good and then asked how the knee looked. The doctors response was unusually good, and when Hamilton asked what that meant, the doctor told him that at five weeks he was already at the point it took most patients 3 1/2 months to get to in recovery. But that also came with a reminder.He said the most important thing ... I know it feels good but at the same time youve still got some healing to do, so we really need to focus on that and going through the process of rehabilitation in the right matter, said Hamilton, who could start jogging again in about a week. Ive got plenty of time to not have to speed it up.In his first appearance for the Rangers since his surgery, Hamilton took part in a ceremony at the Texas Rangers MLB Urban Academy in West Dallas where a field has been named in his honor after contributing to the project.Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre was also there after making a contribution toward a major league-size turf field for an indoor facility that will be built on the 17-acre site. Beltres No. 29 will be inscribed in the turf.Hamilton was a five-time All-Star and the 2010 AL MVP in his five seasons with the Rangers from 2008-12. He left in free agency and signed a $125 million, five-year contract with the AL West rival Los Angeles Angels.The Angels traded Hamilton back to Texas last year when he was coming back from shoulder surgery, and agreed to pay the Rangers for all of his $24 million salary this season and $22 million of the $24 million the outfielder is due in 2017, the last year of that contract. Hamilton played only 50 games last season, hitting .253 with eight homers and 25 RBI.When Hamilton is removed from the 60-day disabled list after this season, he knows it is possible that Texas could use his roster spot for another player. That would mean the 35-year-old outfielder would have to report to spring training with the Rangers on a non-roster deal.I feel confident that when Im healthy, really healthy, Im just as good as anybody in the game, and I still believe that, Hamilton said. I dont expect anything as far as like `Oh yeah, here you go, heres your spot, or anything like that. I expect to go out there and play. If I have to win a spot, wherever that is, thats fine with me. Ill just be happy to be back out there and be pain free and playing again. New England Patriots Shirts . Andrew Luck lost his favourite target and the Indianapolis locker room lost one of its most revered leaders when Reggie Wayne was diagnosed Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will cost him the rest of the season. Cheap Patriots Jerseys . Hamelin, who triumphed in the 500 on Saturday, edged out Victor An of Russia by 0.021 seconds to maintain his lead in the World Cup standings. Russias Vladimir Grigorev was third. In the relay, Canada took control six laps from the finish line to beat Russia and the Netherlands. https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/ . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. Custom New England Patriots Jerseys . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Stitched Patriots Jerseys . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. Columbus Crew SC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC meet for a critical match Saturday evening at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, OH, with both clubs looking to climb into a playoff position with the coveted three points from a victory.Columbus (5-10-11) is eight points out of sixth place, at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Crew midfielder Wil Trapp is likely still out (concussion), while defenders Michael Parkhurst, Gaston Sauro and Nicolai Naess could all be on the pitch for consecutive games. Matt Pacifici and Ben Swanson (season-ending injury) are on the disabled list.Vancouver (8-13-7) is winless in their last eight games, including three consecutive shutouts. Its Vancouvers longest winless streak since a 14-game streak without a win in its inaugural season of 2011. It sits four points out of sixth place for the final playoff position in the Western Conference, with head cooach Carl Robinson suspended through Sept.dddddddddddd 11.Vancouver is 0-5-1 in their last six games and have 31 points from 28 games. The Crew are 2-3-1 in their last six games and have 26 points from 26 games in 2016.Whitecaps striker Erik Hurtado was dangerous last week, but didnt score.Im putting myself in the position to score, Hurtado said when asked about the positives he can take from the loss. The second point is to put the ball in the back of the net and obviously thats what Im trying to do.Crew head coach Gregg Berhalter said, Eight games left in the season, six points back... every game is vital right now. We want to keep pace with the teams ahead of us because eventually were going to run out of time. So, these are important games. ' ' '