Mike Hampton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for six different teams during his career. He was known for his strong left arm and his ability to pitch effectively in both starting and relief roles.
Hampton began his career with the Seattle Mariners in 1993, but he struggled in his first few seasons and was eventually traded to the Houston Astros in 1999. It was with the Astros that Hampton began to establish himself as a top pitcher in the league. He won 22 games in 1999 and finished second in the Cy Young Award voting.
After one more season with the Astros, Hampton signed a lucrative free agent contract with the Colorado Rockies. He had a solid season in 2001, but struggled in 2002 and was traded to the Atlanta Braves. It was with the Braves that Hampton had some of his best seasons. He won 14 games in 2003 and 2004 and helped lead the team to the playoffs both years.
Hampton's career took a turn in 2005 when he signed with the New York Mets. He struggled with injuries and was limited to just 12 starts that season. He missed the entire 2006 season due to injury and was eventually traded back to the Braves in 2008.
Hampton's final few seasons were marked by injuries and inconsistency. He played for the Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Atlanta Braves before retiring in 2010. Overall, Hampton had a solid career, finishing with a record of 148-115 and an ERA of 4.06. He was a two-time All-Star and won five Gold Glove Awards for his fielding prowess.
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