Behind the Scenes Gallery: Josh Hamilton & the Panini America/MLBPA Press Event

ARLINGTON, Texas — Panini America and the Major League Baseball Players Association made huge news earlier today with the announcement that the two sides have agreed to a multi-year trading card agreement that kicks off in earnest with the December release of 2011 Donruss Elite Extra Edition.

As he is prone to do, though, special guest Josh Hamilton — the 2010 American League MVP — stole the show with engaging stories of growing up collecting with his grandmother and how excited he is about partnering with Panini America to produce the next generation of baseball cards.

The press conference, fittingly held inside the Sheraton Arlington Hotel’s World Series ballroom, attracted a healthy media contingent that filled the room with cameras and an air of requisite excitement. Jason Howarth, Panini America’s Vice President of Marketing, threw out the first pitch on the event before turning things over to the MLBPA’s Evan Kaplan and Panini America CEO Mark Warsop.

Warsop then introduced the show-stealer Hamilton, who regaled the assembled masses before unveiling — and signing — his first Panini America MLBPA trading card, an oversized beauty foretelling of the goodness to come in 2011 Playoff Contenders Baseball.

Stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance for additional coverage of the event. But for now, enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at the blockbuster event.