Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Mike Hampton


Albert Pujols vs. Mike Hampton 2

Michael William Hampton (born September 9, 1972 in Brooksville, Florida) is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. Hampton is well-known for being one of the best active hitting pitchers, as well as for his large contract and frequent injuries.

Hampton became a starter for Houston in 1995, and kept his ERA under 4.00 for every season he was with the Astros. In 1999, Hampton had his best year. He broke through with a 22–4 record, best in the National League, and a 2.90 ERA. He picked up his first of five Silver Slugger Awards and narrowly finished second in National League Cy Young Award voting to Randy Johnson.

Mike Hampton Performance

Mike Hampton Love Baseball So Much

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. The rest of his rehab was left in doubt

Mike Hampton Smile

Awards and Accomplishments

* 2-time All-Star (1999, 2001)
* National League Championship Series MVP (2000)
* Led NL in winning percentage (.8462, 1999)
* Became the first pitcher ever to win the Gold Glove Award and Silver Slugger awards in the same season (2003). The Gold Glove also snapped then-Atlanta teammate Greg Maddux's streak of 13 consecutive Gold Gloves. Hampton was the only National League pitcher other than Maddux to win a Gold Glove during Maddux's career from 1989 and onward.
* Hampton holds the record for most Silver Slugger awards for a pitcher, with five.