laugh if you may, i'll still be optimistic about hampton.  like i joke with one of my buddies, and declare that the very lowest point of the baseball year is when chris reitsma is a headline on si.com, and no year is complete without mike hampton getting injured in some way shape or form, we must all remember that prior to all the injuries, hampton was still a hell of a pitcher.  snapping maddux's gold glove streak is something we can't take away from him.  one of these days, he will be able to play again, and when he does, we just might be surprised.

aw hell, maybe hampton should just declare his hometown "planet zito," start doing yoga and meditation, carrying satin pillows and stuffed animals with him on the road, and pray that he gets a slice of the durability that barry zito had when he was in oakland.