Mike Hampton Fan Page

Mike Hampton's Fan Page

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This site is dedicated to Mike Hampton, one of the best starting pitchers in baseball today. Mike's ERA is among the best and his control is untouchable.

Mike is also a very good hitter, winning serval silver sluger awards. Here you will find bio, full stats and pictures, all about Mike.

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#32 Starting Pitcher, Atlanta Braves

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		WASHINGTON -- There were some thoughts of bringing Mike Hampton back into the starting rotation. But with the season winding down and the Braves needing depth in their bullpen, they've opted to use the veteran southpaw as a reliever. Just before the start of Sunday afternoon's game against the Nationals at RFK Stadium, the Braves announced that Hampton had been activated from the 15-day disabled list. Just a few moments later, the veteran hurler began walking toward the bullpen with the other Braves relievers. Hampton's trying season has included four trips to the disabled list. His latest stint was caused by a herniated disc that has been somewhat relieved by an epidural injection he received on Aug. 25. Because of his back injury and a troublesome left forearm, Hampton has completed just 16 2/3 innings since May 13. When the southpaw began feeling some relief in his back, manager Bobby Cox had hopes of getting him back in his starting rotation. After throwing 72 pitches and completing five innings in a simulated game on Wednesday, Hampton also became encouraged about the prospect of returning as a starter. But with all of his injuries, which also include an ailing left knee, he still had his doubts. "We're going to do this for a little while and we'll see what happens," Cox said. "He's up to doing anything." Hampton hasn't pitched out of the bullpen since his rookie season in 1994, when he made all 44 of his appearances for the Astros as a reliever. While there's some concern over how often he'll be available and how easily he'll be able to warm up on short notice, the Braves still believe this is their best option. With just three weeks remaining in the season, there were no guarantees that Hampton would be able to prepare himself as a starter. Now, as a reliever, he provides the Braves a veteran left-handed reliever whose sinker could be effective in double-play situations. "Whether it's long [relief], short [relief] or [to] get a lefty out, I'll do whatever," Hampton said

	BOSTON -- While Mike Hampton was hoping to avoid a trip to the disabled list, he and the Braves decided late Saturday afternoon that having him there for a short span was the best option. Hampton was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left forearm. He felt tightness in his forearm during his May 14 start against the Dodgers and had to exit after 2 1/3 innings. Since then, he's felt some relief, but not enough to make him confident he'd be ready for his scheduled start on Tuesday. When Braves manager Bobby Cox learned this yet again after talking to Hampton on Saturday, he decided this was the most logical move for his southpaw's long-term health. In addition, it allowed the club to open a roster spot for Kyle Davies, who was scheduled to make his Major League debut in a start against the Red Sox on Saturday night. "It didn't feel like it did in between my other starts," Hampton said. "I usually have stiffness and soreness. But this was just a little different and a little more than what I had experienced in the past. So I just need to be smart about it." Because the transaction was made retroactive to May 15, Hampton will be eligible for activation on May 30, which would mean he would miss just two starts. The Braves medical staff hasn't scheduled an MRI and they don't believe the ailment is serious. Braves general manager John Schuerholz, whose team has won just three of the first 10 games on their 12-game road trip, indicated the club might not have disabled Hampton had this happened in the heart of a pennant race. "He only needs another few days of inactivity and then he can be activated again," Schuerholz said. "When the team is going through tough times like this as a team, you could allow yourself to focus on whatever you have to do to deal with this issue now for this day or this game. That's not the right approach in my view. What's the right approach is to take the long-term view of this season." Hampton hasn't thrown since he was able to make just 10 throws during a bullpen session on Tuesday in San Diego. He had a similar ailment during the Division Series last year. But because he had knee surgery just a few days after the abrupt end to the postseason, he didn't learn how long the stiffness might have remained in his arm. This injury slows what had the makings of being one of Hampton's finest seasons. Through his first eight starts, he is 4-1 with a 1.96 ERA. Dating back to July 4 of last year, he's 15-2 with a 2.61 ERA. "It's very frustrating," Hampton said. "I know I need to be on the field to help this team turn things around. The last few games haven't really gone our way. I definitely want to be there to help the turnaround. But we're very capable. We've got a lot of good players and we'll be all right." S