It was revealed on Monday that veteran Braves pitcher Mike Hampton would have to miss his 2nd consecutive full season, this time with a torn flexor tendon in his pitching elbow that will require surgery. When the Braves traded for Hampton in 2002, they thought they were getting a steal. But with Hampton finally nearing the end of his contract in 2008, he's proving to be the Grant Hill of the MLB.
Of course, you can't blame the Rockies for giving him a huge contract, because they always have to overpay every pitcher to pitch in that altitude. See also Denny Neagle. But this news just got me thinking: Is Mike Hampton the hugest bust in baseball contract history? I mean, one can debate for days weather or not A-Rod is worth a quarter-billion dollars, but I'm talking about injuries here, not alleged player worth. Arguing over what Gil Meche, Barry Zito, and Jeff Suppan earned this offseason is also for another article. The classic case of an injury-plagued multi-year contract is Ken Griffey Jr, who had season ending injuries from 2002-2004 and has never played a full season since signing with the Reds in 2000. Ben Sheets, Carl Pavano, and Mark Mulder spring to mind as well.
There is currently an article on AOL.com that was the inspiration for this article, which provides its list of the 15 worst contract busts in the history of sports. Mo Vaughn, the aforementioned Griffey, and Albert Belle also made this list, as far as baseball players go. Mr. Hampton, we wish you well, but I see that you will be 35 already next season, and that can't bode well for your future in the bigs, nor does being injured 5 of the past 7 years.
LAST NIGHT'S RESULTS:
Twins L (4-3)
Brewers called after 10, will resume in 11th tonight before next game (3-4)
Reds L (4-4)
touch with baseball when his childhood heroes Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, and Jim Gantner retired but the Great Home Run Chase of 1998 reignited his passion. As a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Erik became involved with the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity. With this group Erik traveled to Portland, OR and Baltimore, MD to work on construction projects and help the group raise $25,000 to partially sponsor a house in Milwaukee. Also at UWM, Erik met Peter Nagel. The two attended their first Brewers game together during Opening Weekend 2003. Despite their failure to ignite the coals at their first tailgate, the two had a blast and were soon making weekly trips to the ballpark. Erik has gone on to several colleges and changed careers several times, and has moved all the way out to New Hampshire, but has always stayed true to his baseball roots by holding part-time stadium usher jobs. To this day he looks back fondly on his incredible cross-country journey.
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