Section 435 An Atlanta Braves blog. From the upper deck at Turner Field.

I Like Mike (Hampton, that is)

It’s shaping up to be an ugly night for a baseball game in Atlanta – chilly, overcast, and misty. But I am excited nonetheless because today is a big day. Today is the triumphant return of Mike Hampton, his first big league start in 2 1/2 years.

Hampton has been a really sore topic around Atlanta. He’s been making $16 million a year for sitting on the bench for two years. Now, I can see how those of us grinders and hackers in the world who are making an honest living can be offended by that, but let’s be real. You can’t hold the money against him. You can’t hold getting injured against him. It’s not like this was a plot. The man wants to be pitching. He missed two years in the prime of his career and is now saddled with the ignominy of having signed what is probably the biggest contract bust in the history of baseball.

After two surgeries on his arm in two years and a strained hammy in winter ball, lots of people have the perception that he’s made of glass. But I’m a true Mike Hampton believer. I think he wins 14 games and Comeback Player of the Year this year. Here’s why:

• This is way more important for Hampton than the Braves. Last year of the contract and a AAA club stocked with back-of-rotation guys, anything Hampton does is gravy for the Braves. But for Hampton, if he wants to pitch again next year, he’s got to have a good season. And if he ends this season early with an injury, he’ll be lucky if gets a minor league offer from a club next year.
• I think the tweaks he’s had over the winter and spring probably aren’t that serious. Obviously the club is going to treat him more gingerly than other guys in the offseason given his history. But they’ll let him play through the typical wear and tear of the regular season.
• Not only has he looked healthy and comfortable this spring, he’s had good stuff. He looked fantastic in the exhibition on Saturday and his curve has been nasty.
• And yes, up until the last few starts in 2005, while he was playing through pain, he was at the top of his game. 14-2, 2.47 ERA in his last 21 starts.

Of course, I believed in Mike Hampton last spring, too.

[...] and had to come out after 71 pitches in 3.1 innings. Unfortunately, I will have to continue to eat crow about my Hampton belief beyond the May 10 date that he was expected to [...]