AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 10
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Another recovery begins for Hampton
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mike Hampton had his surgery this morning to repair a torn flexor tendon and it was successful, both Braves manager Bobby Cox and general manager John Schuerholz said this afternoon. And that’s good news for Hampton.
He went to New York prepared for the surgery if the worst happened and it did, so at least he was able to have it quickly. His prognosis is the same, six to nine months, and by all accounts the Braves expect him to come back ready to play out the final season of his contract next year.
The always positive Cox said Hampton would come back with a new arm. “I don’t think there’s anything left in there to tear,” he said.
Both Cox and Schuerholz have gone out of their way to keep the focus on their personal disappointment for Hampton, and not so much on where the team will go from here. Though I think it’s pretty evident that if they continue to get what they’ve gotten from Kyle Davis and Mark Redman and if Lance Cormier gets past his triceps issue, they’ll have plenty of pitching.
As for the insurance issue, which the Braves have kept close to the vest, Schuerholz would answer questions only in general terms, but in between the lines he seemed to acknowledge that the Braves are insured for a least part of Hampton’s salary and that portion could eventually go back in the coffers.
“It’s fair to assume some clubs, most clubs that try to insure their players when they can,” Schuerholz said. “That’s all I can say. We try to do the same thing.”
I asked him if that meant money coming back would go back into the payroll, he said:
“It would be a fair assumption to make if a player on any team were insured and the team was certain they would get a return on some portion of the player’s salary, they would likely invest it in the team.”
All the players and coached seemed in good spirits Tuesday after having their annual Braves luncheon with fans at the Hotel Intercontinental in Buckhead. The line of the day had to go to Cox, who relayed the story in the dugout Tuesday afternoon. Apparently each of the players and coaches was asked what player they admired growing up as a kid. Brian McCann said Eddie Perez. When Cox was asked the same question, he said Eddie Perez. Apparently it got a big chuckle for the still-fan favorite former backup catcher…
I finally hooked up with Dave Justice a couple weeks after he was named to the Braves Hall of Fame. Talked to him on the phone today. He seemed genuinely honored — and I will include that in the Braves notes — but the always outspoken Justice couldn’t resist a little backwards jab when he said the call came as a surprise because of his “lack of connection” ‘with the Braves in recent years.
When I asked him if he saw this one coming, he said “Heck no. I’ve been so disconnected with the Braves organization since I left. The New York Yankees have embraced me more than the Braves ever did and I only played there for two years.”
Justice, who is retired, is now living in San Diego but doing pre- and post-game analysis for the Yankees for about 40 games.
I asked him to expand on his point later in our conversation and he pointed out that he’s never been asked to throw out a first pitch by the Braves and that the only time he’s been invited back was for the 10th anniversary of the 1995 World Series team.
In the Braves’ defense, their marketing strategies seems a little bit more conservative than the Yankees, and most of the guys who throw out first pitches are corporate types. (Snooze.) But I figure it would make for some decent discussion with you guys. But in general Justice was very gracious, said he has nothing but love for the Braves and their fans and looks forward to his trip here for the ceremony in August.
In other news, Brian McCann is being presented with his Silver Slugger award before the game today by hitting coach Terry Pendleton. And the Braves haven’t officially announced it yet, but we here at the AJC got tipped off that Andruw Jones will be wearing Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 on Sunday when the Braves host the Marlins. Players from each of the 30 major league teams will be wearing No. 42, which will come out of retirement for the day, as baseball honors Robinson.
