Was much ridiculed for stating that his reason for signing with the
Colorado Rockies as a free agent in 2000 was due to the good schools in
the Denver area, not the $121 million contract the team offered him
(then and still a record for a pitcher). Though he started the 2001
season 9-2 with a 2.98 ERA, he finished his tenure with Colorado 21-28
with a 5.75 ERA in 62 games pitched for the club over two seasons (2001
& 2002). Coors Field, the stadium where the Colorado Rockies play all
their home games, is by far the least pitcher-friendly ballpark in
Major League Baseball. Hampton now pitches for the Atlanta Braves.
