Posts Tagged ‘Mike Hampton’

Disappointments Abound Posted by Johnny Lawrence in Detroit Tigers, Front Page News August 7th, 2008

Could it be new All-Star shortstop Edgar Renteria? What about legendary slugger Gary Sheffield or former 22-game winner Dontrelle Willis? Nate Robertson and Kenny Rogers posted impressive years in 2006, but bullpen stalwarts Todd Jones and Fernando Rodney are certainly strong candidates…

If you’re still oblivious to the topic du jour, or maybe more appropriately, de la saison, who most greatly deserves the designation “biggest disappointment” in Detroit this year? Here are your candidates: Read more

Of Age and Other Demons Posted by John Lopresti in Atlanta Braves April 7th, 2008

When I speak
of flowers
it is to recall
that at one time
we were young.

William Carlos Williams, “Asphodel, that Greeny Flower” 

This was inevitable, wasn’t it?  All the winning, all the years; it was going to catch up to them eventually, right?  One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh.  The lights are coming on at Turner Field.  The wrinkles are coming more quickly and closer together.  The Atlanta Braves have grown old.

The team’s 2008 season is contingent almost entirely on men of an advanced age behaving younger than they are.  John Smoltz will turn 41 in May, and is coming off a season in which he battled persistent shoulder troubles.  Tom Glavine is 42.  Chipper Jones will turn 36 this month and hasn’t played in more than 137 games since 2003.  Mike Hampton is 35 and Mike Hampton.  Bobby Cox is 66 and widely thought to be in his last season as manager.  The Braves have set their season at the base of clock. Read more