Hampton key to Braves
success
By David
Gignilliat
After being the de facto alpha dog in the National League
for many years, the Atlanta Braves again stayed with the
pack last season, finishing in third place with a 84-78
record. The 2007 campaign marked Atlanta's second straight
season playoff miss, having compiled 14 straight postseason
appearances dating back to 1991. Crucial to any Braves'
resurgence in 2008 will be a return to form of Atlanta's
trademark consistent starting pitching.
And if the Braves do return to playoff form this season,
they will need a strong comeback season from oft-injured
left-handed starting pitcher Mike Hampton.
Hampton, expected to be the Braves' fourth starter this
season, has missed most of three seasons with a collection
of elbow, hamstring and arm injuries. He has not pitched in
a MLB game since 2005. In fact, the last time Hampton threw
a curveball, the real estate market was still in bloom,
Barack Obama was a mere mortal and the Atlanta Falcons had
a promising non-felonious young quarterback named Michael
Vick.
So far in spring
training, things have gone off without a hitch.
“Things are
going well. My arm is feeling really strong and it’s
improving every day,” said Hampton, in a recent interview
with Impeached
Magazine. “The
legs still have a little ways to go. Overall, I feel good
about my prospects and look forward to starting the season
in the Braves rotation.”
Hampton’s injury
saga begins with an elbow injury he suffered on August 19,
2005 Hampton had Tommy John surgery on September 25, 2005
and missed the entire 2006 season rehabbing.
The Braves had hoped that Hampton would be ready to rejoin
the rotation to begin the 2007 season. It was not to be,
however, Having made excellent progress toward his target
return date last season, Hampton tore his oblique muscle on
March 7, 2007, an injury which was to sideline him until at
least May. Soon after,
the Braves signed Mark Redman to be a left-handed starting
pitcher for them in case Hampton was not able to return to
action soon. After Hampton threw a bullpen session on April
8, the Braves shut Hampton down due to recurring elbow pain
and said that he would see Dr. David Altchek, who had
performed his Tommy John surgery in 2005. The next day, it
was announced after having another left elbow procedure,
that Hampton would miss the entire 2007 season.
Hampton began a rehab assignment on November 22, 2007 for
Navojoa of the Mexican Winter League. In the first inning,
he attempted to make a play on a comebacker and left during
warmups before the second inning, feeling discomfort in his
hamstring.
It's been a long road back for Hampton, a player who has
always prided himself on conditioning and preparation.
"I am a
professional. I know what I need to do to prepare myself
physically and mentally for the season" said Hampton, who
has been playing regular rounds of golf with his fellow
Braves since arriving at spring training. "I am ready to
contribute. I feel like I still have some good seasons
still left in me."
And it’s not like Hampton hasn’t experienced success
before. As a Houston Astro, Hampton narrowly missed winning
the Cy Young with his breakthrough 1999 season (22-4, 2.90
ERA). Hampton has played in two all-star games, won an NLCS
MVP in 2000, and is the only player ever to win a Gold
Glove and a Silver Slugger in the same year (2003).
"I’m gearing myself mentally to be a starter for the whole
season, to pick the ball up every fifth day. I expect to
give the Braves quality innings and quality starts,"
Hampton said.
At the very least, the Braves rotation is stocked with
experience. The top four starters (John Smoltz, Tom
Glavine, Tim Hudson and Hampton) have combined for 773
wins, 1,732 starts and 11,666 innings. By the end of the
season, the group will likely be over 800 wins. That’s 200
wins per starter.
“We have a lot of experience on our staff. There’s over 60
years of pitching in those four spots," Hampton said. "With
that type of background, I think we’ll be able to handle
every curveball thrown our way.”