Hampton Injures Hamstring in First Inning of Mexican Debut
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by Niteowl049
Mike Hampton who has made only twelve starts in the last three years for the Atlanta Braves injured his hamstring in first inning of his Mexican debut. He was coming off the mound to make a play on the ball when he incurred the injury.
Hampton has earned (and I use the term earned loosely) $44 million for those twelve starts and five wins. Next year will be the last year of his eight year contract he signed with Colorado Rockies before the 2001 season for $121 million. Hampton was 21-28 with the Rockies and he has a 32-20 record with the Braves for a combined 53-48 record during the first seven years of the contract. So far he is averaging less than eight wins a season during the life of the contract thus far.
2008 is the make or break season for Hampton. If he misses all or most of the 2008 season there is little chance any major league team will want to sign him given his injury history.
Hampton had hoped to start seven games in Mexico to prepare for the 2008 season but the injury brought those plans to a screeching halt. Now he can’t pitch for at least a month while the hamstring heals.
He was encouraged by not having any pain while throwing so this latest setback could be a temporary problem that will go away soon. One thing for sure Hampton will not don a Atlanta Braves uniform again in 2009 unless he is a productive member of the starting rotation in 2008.
