New Hampton story

From AB/mlb.com on Mike Hampton:

Those who predicted that Mike Hampton wouldn't throw a pitch for the Braves this season are moving closer to being correct. Even the chronically-injured left-hander has been forced to realize this might be a possibility.

When Hampton exited Wednesday afternoon's Minor League rehab start with Triple-A Richmond because of more discomfort in his left pectoral muscle, the Braves knew the news wasn't good. After they had a chance to talk to the 35-year-old hurler, they came to understand that his exit wasn't simply a precautionary action.

"I did it worse than before," said Hampton, who originally strained the left pectoral muscle approximately 10 minutes before making his scheduled April 3 start against the Pirates. "I don't know what kind of timetable there is for this. All I know is it's pretty bad."

If anything regarding Hampton's health could be considered encouraging, it came Friday afternoon, when doctors told him the results of an MRI scan showed that he didn't tear his pectoral muscle.

When you haven't been able to pitch in a Major League game since Aug. 19, 2005, it's tough to get too excited about any medical-related updates. In fact, over the past few days, Hampton has at least thought about calling an end to his career.

"Thoughts of retirement creep in," Hampton said. "Surgery and all of those other things creep into your mind."

Hampton, who has missed the past two seasons recovering from separate surgical procedures on his left elbow, is in the final year of a $121 million contract. Whether or not he throws a single pitch, he will receive $15 million this year.

The only way he wouldn't receive the entirety of this salary would be if he opted to retire.

Dating back to the beginning of the 2005 season and running through the end of this year, Hampton will have made $56 million. So far, he has made just 12 starts during that span.

"I'm not going to give up," Hampton said. "I'm just not sure how long it's going to take."

The crazy thing about the Hampton saga is that he has missed all this time due to a variety of injuries.  It hasn't been that one thing, like the elbow, that has been keeping him out all this time.  First, the elbow, then the hamstring, next the pectoral.  I honestly can't think of another player in my lifetime that has missed this much time due to such a variety of ailments.  It makes you wonder what the deal really is.  Is he way too fragile for pro sports?  Does he even want to play again?  Is he too timid and scared to push himself through injuries?  Does he just have the worst luck ever?

It has come to the point when a player on your roster is owed $15 million dollars this year and hasn't played in more than 2 entire seasons, you force him to do something - play or retire.  End this sad story and monumental waste of money.  Don't get me wrong, I am a huge Braves fan and wanted to see Hampton succeed in Atlanta, but this is just ridiculous.

I have been in his corner and I really think he does have the worst luck ever. I do think he wants to play again because he wouldnt have gone thru with all the rehabs/spring training if he didnt. And, I can see where he would be timid and scared to push on after all the injuries he has had the last two years.

But, I do agree that he should just end it now and go on to the next phase in his life. When doubt starts to set in your mind, you will not be 100%. I admire what he has tried to do but it just isnt working out.

Anyways, we are on a 2 game win streak!!!!! Go Braves! Make it 3 today! Go Braves!

Go Braves!

I'm as much a Braves fan as the next guy and I'd like to think the best of every player they have but Hampton's really annoying me of late. Personally I would ship Hampton and his $15,000,000 contract into the free agency. He's not worth it. I've kept my mouth shut hoping that Hampton would have another good year but it's been one bum season after the other for the past couple of years. The Braves need to move on and try and find a replacement because I'm destined to win the MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove P, Rolaids Relief, and Hank Aaron Award Winner for the next 5 years if Hampton retires before this contract dries up and he's offered spare change to play. Go Braves!

I have to agree with Bravochick10. I am very disappointed to read these quotes attributed to Mike Hampton.

How on Earth does he go from spending the entire off-season working to get ready, saying he's ready, and now he says he doesn't know how long it will take?

I gave given him the benefit of the doubt for a long, long time. Now it's time for the Braves to say so long.

I dont care if we give up top prospects for pitching, but I want it to be ace pitching, nothing mediocre. Top notch prospects for top notch pitching. A rock. A young rock.
 

Texas is likely to be selling. Perhaps a reunion with Millwood is in the Braves' near future. Wouldn't be too bad of an idea..

A young rock huh? Millwood is 34 years old, and a journeyman. Not to mention that he has had only 3 seasons with an ERA of less than 4.  

I don't think any of us can honestly say we are surprised by this next set back for Mike Hampton, but the quotes he gave are certainly disturbing.  Most of us were excited with the thought of what the Braves rotation was supposed to have been this season.  But now we have lost John Smoltz to the pen and Hampton is I guess ready to puss out and consider retirement.  Frustrating!!!

I think that it is just time to do whatever it is that has to be done to get this contract covered by insurance yet again.  A move has got to be made for starting pitching at some point.  Let's just hope we don't have to give up any of our top-notched prospects!

The deal that Schuerholz struck up for Hampton years ago where he got the Rockies and Marlins to pay a huge portion of the contract looked ingenious at the time, but right about now it is really killing this team!!