ATLANTA (AP) -Atlanta Braves left-hander Mike Hampton says he’s never been more nervous for a game than when he made his first All-Star game appearance in 1999.
Hampton may have to fight a similar feeling on Thursday night when he makes his first start since Aug. 19, 2005.
Hampton, returning from two elbow surgeries, opens the season as the Braves’ No. 4 starter and is scheduled to face Pittsburgh’s Zach Duke.
“I’m sure I’ll be a little bit nervous, a little bit anxious, but I’ve got to get my emotions in check before I take the mound,” Hampton said.
Hampton had a 2.16 ERA in five spring starts, overcoming a strained groin he suffered early in the spring.
Still, the regular season is different. He joked he’ll have some help from pitching coach Roger McDowell if nerves are a problem.
“Actually I think Roger’s going to put a shock collar on me,” Hampton said. “And every time I get a little too jumpy, a little too pumped, he’s gonna hit it.
“If I can control my emotions, I expect good things.”
The Braves hope Hampton and Tom Glavine, who returned to the Braves after five seasons with the New York Mets, can bolster a rotation that lacked depth behind Tim Hudson and John Smoltz last year.
The 35-year-old Hampton acknowledged that his comeback from such a long layoff is unusual.
“Somebody’s gotta do it,” he said. “World records are broken all the time. People are doing all kinds of miraculous things.
“That’s the sole motivation, to get back doing what I love to do. I’ve competed against the best players in the world.”
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