Retirement Ceremony Honors Cole Hamels’ Career with the Phillies
Former MLB pitcher Cole Hamels was honored on Friday night during a retirement ceremony at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Hamels, who spent 10 seasons with the Phillies from 2006 to 2015, is the last member of the team’s 2008 World Series championship squad to retire. Despite his successful career, which included being a three-time All-Star and a World Series MVP, Hamels often struggled against the New York Mets during his 34 career starts against them, with a record of 9-14 and a 3.89 ERA.
During the retirement ceremony, Hamels took a playful jab at the Mets, saying, “We didn’t want to fail, but you guys wanted the best for us. And we wanted to give it to you. Unless you’re the Mets.” The comment drew applause from the Phillies’ home crowd, although its exact meaning may be open to interpretation. The most logical explanation is that Hamels was alluding to the Mets’ history of disappointing their fans and not delivering on expectations.
One notable moment in Hamels’ career that likely contributed to his comment was the Mets’ infamous back-to-back collapses in September of 2007 and 2008. During these seasons, the Mets blew division title leads to the Phillies, allowing Philadelphia to secure the National League East division titles. The 2007 season saw the Phillies overcome a seven-game deficit with just 17 games remaining, thanks in part to a three-game sweep of the Mets. The collapse ended on the final day of the regular season when the Mets lost and the Phillies won.
Hamels’ career also included stints with the Texas Rangers and the Chicago Cubs before making a brief appearance with the Atlanta Braves in 2020. Overall, he finished his career with a record of 163-122 and a 3.43 ERA in 423 games.
The retirement ceremony not only celebrated Hamels’ accomplishments but also highlighted his connection with the Phillies and their fans. Despite his struggles against the Mets, his contributions to the team’s success, including their 2008 World Series win, were significant. As he moves into retirement, Hamels leaves behind a legacy as one of the Phillies’ most notable pitchers and a key figure in their history.
