View source for Mike Hampton

{{for|the American college baseball coach|Mike Hampton (baseball coach)}}
{{short description|American baseball player (born 1972)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Mike Hampton
|image=Mike Hampton.jpg
|caption = Hampton with the Braves in 2008
|team=
|number=
|position=[[Pitcher]]
|bats=Right
|throws=Left
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1972|9|9}}
|birth_place=[[Brooksville, Florida]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=April 17
|debutyear=1993
|debutteam=Seattle Mariners
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=October 3
|finalyear=2010
|finalteam=Arizona Diamondbacks
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat1value=148–115
|stat2label=[[Earned run average]]
|stat2value=4.06
|stat3label=[[Strikeout]]s
|stat3value=1,387
|teams=
* [[Seattle Mariners]] ({{mlby|1993}})
* [[Houston Astros]] ({{mlby|1994}}–{{mlby|1999}})
* [[New York Mets]] ({{mlby|2000}})
* [[Colorado Rockies]] ({{mlby|2001}}–{{mlby|2002}})
* [[Atlanta Braves]] ({{mlby|2003}}–{{mlby|2005}}, {{mlby|2008}})
* [[Houston Astros]] ({{mlby|2009}})
* [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] ({{mlby|2010}})
|highlights=
* 2× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1999 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1999]], [[2001 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2001]])
* [[League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award|NLCS MVP]] ({{nlcsy|2000}})
* [[Gold Glove Award]] (2003)
* 5× [[Silver Slugger Award]] (1999–2003)
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders|NL wins leader]] (1999)
}}
'''Michael William Hampton, Jr.''' (born September 9, 1972) is an American former professional [[baseball]] player. Hampton played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) as a [[pitcher]] from 1993 through 2010. He pitched for the [[Seattle Mariners]], [[Houston Astros]], [[New York Mets]], [[Colorado Rockies]], [[Atlanta Braves]] and [[Arizona Diamondbacks]]. He was the bullpen coach for the Mariners before resigning on July 9, 2017.

Hampton is a two-time [[MLB All-Star]]. He won five [[Silver Slugger Award]]s and a [[Gold Glove Award]]. He was the [[NLCS MVP|Most Valuable Player]] of the [[2000 National League Championship Series]], and he pitched in the [[2000 World Series]] for the Mets.

==Early life==
Hampton was born in [[Brooksville, Florida]], when his father, Mike Hampton Sr., was 19 and his mother, Joan, was 16.<ref name="father">{{cite news|last1=Curry|first1=Jack|title=BASEBALL; Hampton Driven to Succeed by Father|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/17/sports/baseball-hampton-driven-to-succeed-by-father.html|access-date=21 December 2017|work=The New York Times|date=January 17, 2000}}</ref> He was the oldest of three children. Hampton was raised in [[Homosassa, Florida]], and attended [[Crystal River High School]].<ref name="nydn">{{cite news|last1=Hill|first1=Thomas|title=THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS Mike Hampton now lives in New York, but the Mets ace is all Homosassa, Fla.|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/city-sleeps-mike-hampton-lives-new-york-mets-ace-homosassa-fla-article-1.875333|access-date=21 December 2017|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=February 13, 2000|language=en}}</ref>

In high school, Hampton was recruited to play [[college football]] as a [[defensive back]] at [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football|Notre Dame]], [[Miami Hurricanes football|Miami]] and [[Florida State Seminoles football|Florida State]].<ref name="father" />

==Career==
=== Seattle Mariners ===
Hampton was drafted by the [[Seattle Mariners]] in the sixth round of the [[1990 Major League Baseball draft]]. He made his Major League debut in 1993. After the season, he was traded to the [[Houston Astros]] with [[Mike Felder]] for [[Eric Anthony]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Finnigan|first1=Bob|title=Mariners Maneuver For More Muscle In Outfield -- Felder, Hampton Dealt To Astros For Powerful Outfielder Eric Anthony|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19931211/1736398/mariners-maneuver-for-more-muscle-in-outfield|access-date=April 12, 2016|work=Seattle Times|date=December 11, 1993}}</ref>

=== Houston Astros ===
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, finishing with a 22&ndash;4 record, best in the [[National League (baseball)|National League]], and a 2.90 ERA. He picked up his first of five [[Silver Slugger Award]]s and narrowly finished second in [[National League Cy Young Award]] voting to [[Randy Johnson]]. That season, Hampton batted .311 (23 for 74).

=== New York Mets ===
Entering the final year of his contract, Hampton was dealt to the [[New York Mets]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Mets Acquire Hampton From Astros|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-24-sp-47127-story.html|access-date=April 12, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 24, 1999}}</ref> He went 15&ndash;10 with a 3.12 ERA and helped the Mets reach the postseason. With two wins and no earned runs in two starts, Hampton was named the MVP of the [[2000 National League Championship Series|2000 NLCS]]. Hampton received a loss in his only [[2000 World Series|World Series]] appearance.

===Colorado Rockies===
The [[Colorado Rockies]] signed Hampton to an eight-year, $121 million contract on December 9, 2000. It was the largest contract in baseball history at the time, although it would quickly be passed by [[Alex Rodríguez]]'s ten-year, $252 million contract with the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] only two days later.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hampton Goes to Rockies With Record Contract|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=100105&page=1|access-date=October 22, 2016|work=abcnews.go.com|date=December 9, 2000}}</ref> Hampton once claimed that he had chosen to move to Colorado because of "the school system", a statement derided by baseball executive [[Sandy Alderson]] and sportswriters.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 8, 2000 |title=MLB - Hampton, Rockies agree on Mile High mega-deal |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/2000/1208/931817.html |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Chass |first=Murray |author-link=Murray Chass |date=March 5, 2001 |title=Rockies' Hampton, the Education Pitcher, is Sticking to his Story |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/05/sports/on-baseball-rockies-hampton-the-education-pitcher-is-sticking-to-his-story.html |access-date=August 22, 2010 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The Rockies hoped Hampton, who had been one of the best pitchers in the league over the past few seasons, would be able to succeed in the tough pitching conditions of [[Coors Field]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ringolsby |first=Tracy |date=January 11, 2017 |title=History shows Coors unfriendly to FA pitchers |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/coors-field-historically-tough-for-fa-pitchers-c213303440 |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=MLB.com}}</ref>

Hampton went 14&ndash;13 with a 5.41 ERA in 2001, often struggling with control problems. He ranked 9th in the NL in walks issued.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-09-20 |title=Hampton Has Enough to Beat Arizona |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-sep-20-sp-47786-story.html |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=Los Angeles Times |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2001 National League Pitching Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2001-pitching-leaders.shtml |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=Baseball Reference}}</ref> The next season, 2002, Hampton went 7&ndash;15 with his ERA climbing to a league-high 6.15 and batters hitting .313 off of him. 

His best all-around offensive season came in 2001 with Colorado, when he would hit .291 with seven home runs. The next year he hit three home runs and batted .344, the third highest batting average for a pitcher in a season in the [[Designated hitter|DH]] era.{{cn|date=November 2025}} From 1999 to 2003, Hampton won five consecutive [[Silver Slugger Award]]s.

Coors Field at the time was one of the most hitter-friendly parks in MLB history during Hampton's tenure with the Rockies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Neutralized and Converted Stats |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/about/equiv_stats.shtml |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Park-adjusted statistics such as ERA- and [[Fielding independent pitching|FIP]]- suggest Hampton was below average but not the worst pitcher in the majors while with the Rockies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Major League Leaders {{!}} 2001-2002 |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&month=0&ind=0&startdate=&enddate=&sortcol=13&sortdir=desc&season1=2001&season=2002&pagenum=1 |website=[[FanGraphs]]}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Evan |date=2021-10-21 |title=Thursday Rockpile: Taking a look back at the Mike Hampton contract |url=https://www.purplerow.com/2021/10/21/22737309/colorado-rockies-news-rockpile-taking-a-look-back-at-the-mike-hampton-contract-mike-hampton-jon-gray |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=Purple Row |publisher=[[SB Nation]]}}</ref>

===Atlanta Braves===
On November 16, 2002, the Rockies traded Hampton to the [[Florida Marlins]] with [[Juan Pierre]] and cash for [[Charles Johnson (catcher)|Charles Johnson]], [[Preston Wilson]], [[Vic Darensbourg]], and [[Pablo Ozuna]]. Two days later, the Marlins traded Hampton and cash to the [[Atlanta Braves]] for [[Tim Spooneybarger]] and Ryan Baker.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mike Hampton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hamptmi01.shtml |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=Baseball Reference}}</ref> Hampton won 14 games and lowered his ERA to 3.84 in 2003. He won the [[Gold Glove Award]] for pitchers in 2003, the only player other than [[Greg Maddux]] to win the award for that position in the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] from 1990 to 2008. Hampton overcame a slow start in 2004 by winning 10 of his last 11 decisions and helping to propel the Braves to another division championship.

Hampton's 2005 season was limited heavily by injuries. He went 5&ndash;3 in 12 starts, but was lost for the rest of the season with an elbow injury on August 19, 2005. Hampton had [[Tommy John surgery]] on September 25, 2005, and missed the entire 2006 season rehabbing.

The Braves were hoping for Hampton to be ready to rejoin the rotation in time for the start of the 2007 season. The rehab was on schedule until Hampton tore his oblique muscle on March 7, 2007, which was to sideline him until at least May.<ref>[http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/03/08/0308hampton.html Hampton strains side muscle] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310164118/http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/03/08/0308hampton.html |date=March 10, 2007 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2829954 |title=Hampton suffers setback |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=April 9, 2007 |access-date=August 22, 2010}}</ref> The next day, it was announced after having another left elbow procedure, that Hampton would miss the entire 2007 season.<ref>{{cite news|first=Mark |last=Bowman |url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/1888533 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124220912/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/1888533 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 24, 2015 |title=Hampton to have surgery, miss season: Braves left-hander to undergo another procedure on elbow |work=[[MLB.com]] |date=April 9, 2007 |access-date=August 22, 2010}}</ref>

Hampton began a rehab assignment on November 22, 2007, for [[Mayos de Navojoa|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.<ref>{{cite news|first=Mark |last=Bowman |url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/2309384 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125001656/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/2309384 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |title=Hampton Strains Hamstring In Mexico |work=MLB.com |date=November 26, 2007 |access-date=August 22, 2010}}</ref>

However, Hampton reported to "Camp Roger" on time in late January. He threw off the mound for [[Bobby Cox]] and [[Roger McDowell]], both of whom were impressed with Hampton's steady progress.{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}} Hampton arrived a day before pitchers and catchers were due to report at Lake Buena Vista. He ran sprints, played catch with teammates, continued to pitch off the mound, threw to live batters: [[Mark Kotsay]], [[Tim Hudson]], and [[Corky Miller]].

On April 3, 2008, Hampton was scheduled to make his long-anticipated return to the Braves rotation in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. While warming up, however, Hampton strained his left pectoral muscle, and was placed on the 15-day disabled list. On July 26, Hampton made his first major league start since August 2005 against the Philadelphia Phillies. However, he was soon injured again, and finished the season with only 13 appearances. His final 2008 stats included a 3–4 record and a 4.85 ERA.

===Houston Astros (second stint)===
[[File:Mike Hampton on July 11, 2009.jpg|thumb|right|Hampton pitching for the Astros in 2009.]]
On December 3, 2008, Hampton signed a 1-year contract worth $2 million with the Houston Astros.<ref>{{cite news|first=Alyson |last=Footer |url=http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/3700140 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125043330/http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/3700140 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |title=Astros welcome back Hampton |work=MLB.com |date=December 3, 2008 |access-date=August 22, 2010}}</ref> Hampton could have earned another $2 million in performance-based incentives.<ref>{{cite news|first=Alyson |last=Footer |url=http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081201&content_id=3696729&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou |title=Hampton returning to Astros |work=MLB.com |date=December 1, 2008 |access-date=August 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225064142/http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081201&content_id=3696729&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou |archive-date=February 25, 2012 }}</ref>

Hampton chose to wear uniform #11 in his return to Houston to honor his old friend, longtime Astro [[catcher]] [[Brad Ausmus]].<ref name=MLB2008>{{cite news |title=Astros welcome back Hampton |first=Alyson |last=Footer |date=December 3, 2008 |work=MLB.com |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/3700140 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124143408/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/3700140 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 24, 2015 }}</ref> His #10 that he wore during his first stint with Houston was being worn by [[Miguel Tejada]]. He pitched in the number four spot behind [[Brian Moehler]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Alyson |last=Footer |url=http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/3700713 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124221025/http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/3700713 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 24, 2015 |title=New number honors old friend |work=MLB.com |date=December 3, 2008 |access-date=August 22, 2010}}</ref>

On September 15, 2009, Hampton underwent full [[Rotator cuff tear|rotator cuff surgery]] to repair a tear and was expected to miss the entire 2010 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4475540 |title=Hampton to miss next season |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=September 16, 2009 |access-date=August 22, 2010}}</ref>

===Arizona Diamondbacks===
Despite initially being expected to miss the whole season, on August 21, 2010, Hampton signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.<ref>{{cite news|title=Diamondbacks bring up veteran P Hampton |url=http://archive.wlbz2.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=126478 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426005619/http://archive.wlbz2.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=126478 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 26, 2016 |access-date=April 12, 2016 |publisher=WLBZ |date=September 3, 2010 }}</ref> He returned to the major leagues with the Diamondbacks, throwing {{frac|4|1|3}} innings in ten appearances.

After the season, Hampton re-signed with Arizona to a minor league deal for 2011.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gilbert|first1=Steve|title=Towers takes major steps to improve D-backs|url=http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/16291164|access-date=April 12, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=December 9, 2010}}</ref> On March 26, 2011, Hampton announced his retirement from baseball.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/17128496 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204183631/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/17128496/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 4, 2015 |title=Veteran lefty Mike Hampton decides to retire |work=mlb.com |date=March 26, 2011 |access-date=March 26, 2011}}</ref>

===Hitting stats===
Hampton was one of the best hitting pitchers in MLB history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mueller|first=Chris|date=2024-05-11 |title=The best-hitting MLB pitchers of all time |url=https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/the_best_hitting_mlb_pitchers_of_all_time/s1__32336279#slide_1|access-date=2025-09-16 |website=yardbarker.com}}</ref> In 423 games over 16 seasons, Hampton posted a .246 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] (178-for-725) with 97 [[run (baseball)|runs]], 22 [[double (baseball)|doubles]], 5 [[triple (baseball)|triples]], 16 [[home runs]], 79 [[Run batted in|RBI]], 47 [[walk (baseball)|walks]] and a .356 [[slugging percentage]]. In 11 postseason games, Hampton batted .250 (5-for-20) with 1 run and 1 RBI.

== Coaching career ==

=== Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization===
In 2013, Hampton was named the pitching coach for the Arkansas Travelers, the AA affiliate for the Angels, joining manager [[Tim Bogar]], who was his teammate on the Astros from 1997 to 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-40514256|title=Bogar New Travs Manager, Hampton Joins Staff|website=Arkansas Travelers|access-date=2016-12-26}}</ref> Hampton was not retained as coach after the 2013 season.

=== Seattle Mariners ===
After two years off from coaching, he was hired to be the bullpen coach for the Mariners, the team he played for his rookie year. He joined former Astros teammates [[Scott Servais]] (1994–95) and the aforementioned Tim Bogar on the coaching staff.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Divish |first=Ryan |date=2015-11-23 |title=Mariners finalize big league coaching staff, hiring Casey Candaele to coach first base and Mike Hampton as bullpen coach |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-finalizes-big-league-coaching-staff-adding-casey-candaele-first-base-coach-and-mike-hampton-as-bullpen-coach/ |access-date=2016-12-26 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> He resigned on July 9, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-07-10 |title=Hampton resigns as bullpen coach of Mariners |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/19948863/mike-hampton-resigns-seattle-mariners-bullpen-coach |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref>

==Awards and accomplishments==
*2-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] (1999, 2001)
*[[2000 NLCS]] MVP
*Led NL in [[Win (baseball statistics)|winning percentage]] (.8462, 1999)
*Became the first pitcher ever to win the [[Gold Glove Award]] and [[Silver Slugger Award]] 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 [[List of Silver Slugger Award winners at pitcher|Silver Slugger]] awards for a pitcher, with five.

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Florida|Baseball}}
* [[Atlanta Braves award winners and league leaders]]
* [[List of Houston Astros team records]]
* [[Houston Astros award winners and league leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball all-time leaders in home runs by pitchers]]
* [[New York Mets award winners and league leaders]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Baseballstats |mlb=115399 |espn=2836 |br=h/hamptmi01 |fangraphs=430 |brm=hampto002mic}}, or [http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/H/Phampm001.htm Retrosheet]

{{NLCS MVP}}
{{NL P Silver Slugger Award}}
{{NL P Gold Glove Award}}
{{NL wins champions}}
{{Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year Award}}
{{New York Mets Opening Day starting pitchers}}
{{Colorado Rockies Opening Day starting pitchers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hampton, Mike}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
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