However, any time the words “pitching” and “free agency” are thrown out in Colorado circles, two names come to mind – Darryl Kile and Mike Hampton. To this day, their effect on the Colorado franchise still casts a shadow on potential pitchers being scared away by Coors Field.
As has been well documented, both pitchers were signed with high hopes. Both were disappointments.
Kile went 112-89 in his 10 years outside Colorado. During his two years (1998-99) with the Rockies, he went 21-30. An ERA that was under 4.00 in St. Louis and Houston ballooned to 5.