Mike Hampton: 2000 NLCS MVP Mets Pitcher (2000)
Hampton had a modest minor league career, winning a high of 13 games (13-8) with a 3.12 ERA at A ball San Bernardino in 1992.
MLB Career: In 1993 he made the Seattle staff out of Spring Training. On April 17th, he debuted pitching in Detroit allowing four runs to the Tigers & taking a loss in four innings of work. That day the Mariners lost 20-3.
On April 23rd he earned his first big league win, it was a middle relief appearance against the A.L. New York team. On July 15th, he collected the only save of his career, coming in a win at Fenway Park He remained on the staff through July going 1-3 with a save & two holds with a 9.53 ERA.
MLB Career: In 1993 he made the Seattle staff out of Spring Training. On April 17th, he debuted pitching in Detroit allowing four runs to the Tigers & taking a loss in four innings of work. That day the Mariners lost 20-3.
On April 23rd he earned his first big league win, it was a middle relief appearance against the A.L. New York team. On July 15th, he collected the only save of his career, coming in a win at Fenway Park He remained on the staff through July going 1-3 with a save & two holds with a 9.53 ERA.
Hampton spent six seasons in Houston (1994-1999) gradually developing from a reliever into a top starter. In 1994 he was 2-1 in 44 appearances. In 1995, at age 23, he was the youngest player on the Astros roster. That season he made the transition to being a full-time starting pitcher. In late June, after going on the DL with an elbow injury, he returned to win six straight decisions. He ended the year 9-8 with a 3.35 ERA (11th best in the NL).
Although he would give up a large number of hits & walks throughout his career, he was a master a leaving runners stranded. Hampton also kept his ERA under four for seven straight seasons. Over the next four years he increased his victories each season & would reach double figures in wins six straight seasons.
In 1997 Hampton won 15 games (15-10) the most by an Astros left hander since Jim Deshaises in 1989. His 15 victories were second on the staff to Darryl Kile's 19. From July 7th to August 12th, he won seven straight decisions, going 7-0 with a 2.15 ERA. In that stretch he tossed he tossed shutouts over the Pirates & Mets, as well as having five complete game victories. On September 25th, he clinched the Astros NL Central title with a win over the Cubs.
1997 Post Season- NLDS: In the NLDS loss to the Atlanta Braves, he was the losing pitcher in Game #2 allowing six runs in 4.2 innings.
In 1998 Hampton was 11-7 as the Astros won their second straight divisional title. He posted a 3.36 ERA leading the NL in ground ball induced double plays (310.
In 1998 Hampton was 11-7 as the Astros won their second straight divisional title. He posted a 3.36 ERA leading the NL in ground ball induced double plays (310.
1998 Post Season- NLDS: This time the Astros lost the NLDS to the NL Champion San Diego Padres. In the Game #3 loss to Kevin Brown, he earned no decision allowing one run on two hits over six innings.By 1999 he was one of the league’s top pitchers, leading the NL with 22 wins. His 22 wins were a new Astros franchise record & the first twenty-win season for an Astros left hander. He was one of two Houston twenty game winners, as Jose Lima was 21-10.
On May 10th, he pitched his first shutout of the year coming over the Pirates. On July 18th, he tossed another shut out, a four hit 2-0 win over the Indians. From June 30th to September 15th, he had MLB's longest win streak, winning 11 straight decisions. He made his first All Star appearance that year as well.
Hampton led the NL with a .846 winning percentage. He was third with a 2.90 ERA, striking out a career high 177 batters (9th in the NL) in 239 innings pitched (4th in the NL). He made 34 starts on the season pitching at least seven innings 28 times.
for the Cy Young Award.
.300 Hitter: Hampton was always a good hitting pitcher, one of the best of his era. In 1999 he hit .311 with seven walks and 10 RBIs.
1999 Post Season: The Astros won their third straight divisional title but exited in the first round once again losing to Atlanta. In the Game #3 loss in Houston, he earned no decision allowing three runs over seven innings.
Mets Career: 
Houston took advantage of Hampton's big season. Since it was to be the final year of his contract, not willing to pay out a big contract, they put him on the trade block.
Houston took advantage of Hampton's big season. Since it was to be the final year of his contract, not willing to pay out a big contract, they put him on the trade block.In December of 1999 he was traded to the New York Mets. Houston insisted the Mets take the troubled Derek Bell as well or no deal. In exchange the Mets gave up Roger Cedeno & pitcher Octavio Dotel.
Hampton's career in New York was to be short but certainly memorable. He was the last piece Bobby Valentine needed in order to get his team to the World Series.
Hampton’s 2000 season didn’t start out so well, on Opening Day in a game played in Japan, he lost to the Chicago Cubs, allowing two runs over five innings pitched. In that game he served up a career high nine walks.
Hampton’s 2000 season didn’t start out so well, on Opening Day in a game played in Japan, he lost to the Chicago Cubs, allowing two runs over five innings pitched. In that game he served up a career high nine walks.
After a second loss, he gave up six runs in a loss the Phillies to start the year at 0-3 with a 6.59 ERA.
From May 9th to May 26th, he won four straight games, allowing just three earned runs in 31.1 innings posting a 0.86 ERA in that time. In the four wins he pitched eight or more innings three times. In the first three of those wins he allowed just one run in 18 innings of work.
Five Game Hit Streak: From May 14th to June 5th, he hit safely in five straight games, batting
.538 (7-13) with three RBIs. On May 14th, he also tossed his first complete game of the season & did not issue a walk in the 5-1 victory.
.538 (7-13) with three RBIs. On May 14th, he also tossed his first complete game of the season & did not issue a walk in the 5-1 victory.
On May 20th he came to bat with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 4th inning facing Omar Dahl with the Mets down 1-0. Hampton singled driving in the first two runs, in what turned out to be a five-run inning. Although the Mets bullpen gave up five runs in the 9th inning, Hampton earned the victory in the 8-7 win.
Shut Out: On June 25th he pitched a five-hit shutout over the Pirates at Shea Stadium, striking out a season best nine batters. He would match that total three times on the season. It was his second complete game of the season & his only shut out of the regular season, his next shut out would come in the NLCS clinching the pennant.
Regular Season Sub Way Series: On July 9th, Hampton pitched seven innings of shutout ball, to beat Andy Pettitte & AL New York team 2-0 at Shea Stadium. Hampton struck out eight & walked two. Todd Zeile hit a solo HR & Melvin Mora had an RBI sac fly to supply the offense.
On July 27th he pitched his third complete game of the season, coming in the second game of a double header sweep of the Expos at Shea. The win got him to his tenth victory, marking his fifth straight season on double digit victories. This started another personal four game win streak. This win also started a stretch at Shea Stadium where he won seven of his last eight games.
On July 27th he pitched his third complete game of the season, coming in the second game of a double header sweep of the Expos at Shea. The win got him to his tenth victory, marking his fifth straight season on double digit victories. This started another personal four game win streak. This win also started a stretch at Shea Stadium where he won seven of his last eight games.
On August 1st, he beat Steve Parris & the Reds 3-2 at Shea Stadium, without issuing a walk in 7.2 innings pitched.
Return to Houston: On August 7th, he returned to face his old Astro teammates in Houston. In his first at bat, he singled off Wade Miller bringing in the Mets first run. In the 4th inning, his single scored two runs, with the help of an Astros throwing error, giving himself a 4-1 lead. He was credited with two RBIs in the game, the second muti-two RBI game of the season. He ended up giving up five runs, but the Mets still won the game 6-5, as he got no decision.
On August 17th, he left the game at Shea against the Rockies in the 3rd inning, with a strained oblique & fracture in his right rib cage. He would be out for ten days but luckily returned healthy.
On August 27th, he returned to the mound at Shea & beat Armando Reynoso & the Diamondbacks 2-1, pitching eight innings to reach 13 victories.
September 2nd, he pitched into the 9th inning but took a tough 2-1 loss to Darryl Kile & the St. Louis Cardinals.
In his next start he pitched into the 8th inning, allowing a two run HR to the Phillies Scott Rolen, as the Mets were shut out by Vicente Padilla 2-0.
On September 13th, he allowed just one run to Brewers at Shea, but Jeff D'Amico shut the Mets out thru eight innings. The Mets came back to tie it & win it on Jay Payton's Walk off HR.
On September 18th, he took his third straight loss, getting beaten by the Braves in Atlanta allowing five runs, the most runs he had allowed over his last eight starts.
On September 27th, the Mets clinched a playoff berth with a wild card spot.
On September 29th, in his last start of the regular season, he pitched five shutout innings to beat the Expos at Shea Stadium, earning him his 15th victory.
Season Stats: On the season Hampton posted a 3.14 ERA (sixth best in MLB) In 33 starts he allowed two runs or less 21 times. He finished up the year at 15-10, second on the Mets staff to Al Leiter's 16 wins & the tenth most wins in the NL. At Shea posted an 11-4 record with a 2.05 ERA, second best home ERA in the league.
Season Stats: On the season Hampton posted a 3.14 ERA (sixth best in MLB) In 33 starts he allowed two runs or less 21 times. He finished up the year at 15-10, second on the Mets staff to Al Leiter's 16 wins & the tenth most wins in the NL. At Shea posted an 11-4 record with a 2.05 ERA, second best home ERA in the league.
Hampton led the club in innings pitched (217) complete games (3) & one shutout. For the second
year in a row, he also allowed the fewest HRs per nine innings (0.414) in the National League. He also allowed the fewest HRs (10) among all Mets starters.
Hampton At Bat: At the plate he collected twenty hits, one hit short of Dwight Gooden's franchise record 21 set in 1985. Hampton batted .278 (third best among NL pitchers) driving in 8 runs, leading all NL pitchers.
Post Season- 2000 NLDS: In the NLDS win over the Giants. Hampton went up against Livan Hernandez in the series opener in San Francisco. In Game #1 he gave up five runs including a three run HR to Ellis Burks taking the loss. 2000 NLCS: In the NLCS win over the Cardinals, Hampton made up for his NLDS loss.
In Game #1 at St. Louis' Busch Stadium, Hampton pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just six hits while striking out four Cardinals. Todd Zeile & Jay Payton led the way with HRs in the 6-2 Mets win.
Hampton saved his best outing of the year, for the pennant clinching Game #5 at Shea Stadium.
2000 Subway World Series:
In the subway World Series, Hampton got the start in Game #2 in the Bronx against Roger Clemens.
Mets Win the Pennant: On October 15th, in a wild sell out at Shea Stadium, with centerfieldmaz in attendance & the upper deck shaking Hampton sealed the pennant for the Mets.
He pitched a three-hit shutout, not allowing a walk while striking out eight Cardinals. He did not allow a hit after the 4th inning & retired the last 11 batters in a row. No one got beyond first base the entire game.
It ranks as one of the best Mets post season pitching performances in the club's history. In the top of the 9th, Hampton got the last out when Cardinal's pinch hitter Rick Wilkins flew out to centerfielder Jay Payton & Shea Stadium erupted.
Benches Clear: In the 5th inning a wild pitch from Cardinal pitcher Britt Reames nearly hit Hampton, sending him to the ground. Later in the 8th, Cardinal pitcher Dave Veres hit Jay Payton with a pitch ear his left eye. Luckily Payton drew some blood but was ok. He charged the mound as both benches cleared but order was restored. The Shea fand responded with a loud singing rendition of "na na na say hey goodbye"!
As the game ended, the Mets celebrated on the field & Hampton was lifted off the ground by Robin Ventura as the Mets advanced to the World Series.
Quotes- Mike Hampton: "For one night, I felt like I was on top of the world".
NLCS MVP: Hampton was voted the MVP of the NLCS. He was 2-0 with 16 scoreless innings pitched. He struck out 12 7 walked four with a 0.00 ERA as opponents hit just .158 against him.
In the subway World Series, Hampton got the start in Game #2 in the Bronx against Roger Clemens.Hampton was the losing pitcher, as he gave up four runs, on eight hits, issuing five walks in six innings pitched of the 6-5 loss. He served up a 2nd inning solo HR to Sott Brosius.
The game was highlighted by an ugly incident where Mike Piazza had fouled off a pitch from Clemens & the bat split landing near the mound.
2000 Post Season Stats: Overall, in the 2000 post season, Hampton made four starts going 2-2 allowing nine runs on 23 hits in 27.1 innings pitched. He struck out 18 walked 12 & gave up two HRs, posting a 2.96 ERA.
After the 2000 season Hampton upset Met fans by signing with the Colorado Rockies. His wife did not want to move to New York, she did not approve of the New York school system. Hampton wanted to remain close with his family & chose Colorado.
Post Mets Career: The air in Colorado made Hampton an even better hitter. Over the next two seasons he hit ten HRs, drove in 21 runs & batted .318 in the Mile High City.
In 2001 his seven HRs tied an NL record held by Dodgers Don Drysdale (1958 & 1959) & Don Newcombe (1955) for most HRs by a pitcher in a season. His 16 RBIs were the most since the Pirates Don Robinson (16) in 1982. All numbers set Rockies records for pitchers as well.
Shut Out Over Mets: On May 9th at Coors Field, he pitched a complete game shut out over the Mets, his eighth career shutout.
Overall, for the year he went 14-13 leading the Rockies staff in wins, posting a 5.14 ERA.
In 2002 he battled injuries and posted a career worst 6.15 ERA while losing a career high 15 games (7-15) for the fourth-place team. He allowed the most runs in the NL (135) & his 15 losses were fourth most in the NL.
In November 2002, he was first traded to the Marlins, then two days later dealt to the Braves for Tim Spooneybrager & Ryan Baker.
Gold Glove Award: With Atlanta he went 14-8 with a 3.84 ERA getting to his fifth post season. That season he won the gold Glove Award, breaking Greg Maddox streak of 13 straight Gold Gloves.
He is just the fourth pitcher in history to do it as well. Overall, Hampton struck out nine allowing two runs but go no decision in the 5-3 win. In Game #5 he gave up HRs to Alex Gonzalez & Aramis Ramirez taking the loss to Kerry Wood.
In 2004 he had a terrible start going 1-7 thru mid-June. From there he went 12-2 in his last 16 starts to finish at 13-9 posting a 4.28 ERA.
2004 Post Season: Hampton reached his sixth & final post season, in the NLDS loss to the Astros. In Game #2 he gave up two runs, HRs to Jeff Bagwell & Raul Chavez, pitching 7.2 innings taking no decision in the 4-2 win. He left the game with tightness in his forearm. In Game #4 at Houston, he pitched one inning of relief in the 6-5 loss.
In 2007 he was ready to return, but then tore an oblique muscle and had to miss that season as well.
In April 2008 he was to make a highly anticipated return, but while warming up he strained a pectoral muscle & was placed on the DL. In July of 2008, he finally returned almost three years since last having pitched. On July 26th, in his first start he allowed six runs to the Phillies in Philadelphia, exiting after four innings.
In his next start he allowed four runs to the Cardinals in five innings of work.
In 2009, at age 36, he signed with his old Astros team, taking the role as the number two starter
behind Roy Oswalt. He went 7-10 with an ERA of 4.07 for the fifth-place club.
behind Roy Oswalt. He went 7-10 with an ERA of 4.07 for the fifth-place club.
Rotator Cuff Surgery: By the end of the season he needed rotator cuff surgery and would miss most of the 2010 season.
In September 2010 he made ten relief appearances with the Arizona D-backs.
Career Stats: In his 16-year career he was a two time All Star, going 148-115 with a 4.06 ERA. He struck out 1387 batters with 901 walks in 2268 innings pitched over 409 games, making 355 starts.
Career Stats: In his 16-year career he was a two time All Star, going 148-115 with a 4.06 ERA. He struck out 1387 batters with 901 walks in 2268 innings pitched over 409 games, making 355 starts.
Trivia: Hampton is the only pitcher to win five Silver Slugger Awards.
Good Hitting Pitcher: Hampton was one of the best hitting pitchers of his era, batting .246 with 178 career hits 22 doubles 5 triples 16 HRs & 79 RBIs.
Retirement: In 2013 he coached at the AA level with former Met, Tim Bogar who was manager of the Arkansas Travelers. He then joined Bogar with the Seattle Mariners where he was bullpen coach, resigning in July of 2017.
Retirement: In 2013 he coached at the AA level with former Met, Tim Bogar who was manager of the Arkansas Travelers. He then joined Bogar with the Seattle Mariners where he was bullpen coach, resigning in July of 2017.
Family: Mike has been married twice. He & his first wife Kautia have two children. In 2010 he married his second wife Monique.
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