(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Today, a former MLB star has decided to call it a career.
Cole Hamels, who pitched for four different franchises throughout his career, announced his retirement, per MLB insider Bob Nightengale.
“World Series champion Cole Hamels, who valiantly tried for one more comeback, has called it a career and is retiring along with #Padres teammate Craig Stammen. They have officially been placed on the voluntarily retired list,” he tweeted.
World Series champion Cole Hamels, who valiantly tried for one more comeback, has called it a career and is retiring along with #Padres teammate Craig Stammen. They have officially been placed on the voluntarily retired list.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 4, 2023
It’s also worth noting that another good pitcher, in this case reliever Craig Stammen, has decided to retire.
Hamels, in particular, was one of baseball’s stars immediately upon making his debut in 2006.
He was part of an incredible Philadelphia Phillies rotation that won a World Series in 2008 and made it to another in 2009, but lost it.
In subsequent years, those Phillies had Roy Halladay, Roy Oswald, Hamels, Cliff Lee, and other talented, historically relevant arms.
Hamels is retiring with a very solid 3.43 ERA in 2,698 innings pitched.
His stuff during his prime was marvelous, especially his incredible changeup.
That’s what made him great, together with his plus changeup and bulldog demeanor on the mound.
He couldn’t win any Cy Young awards, but was a four-time All-Star, a World Series champ (plus winning the MVP award in that 2008 Series), and pitched both an individual no-hitter and a combined no-hitter.
He was a monster in postseason play and Phillies fans have incredible memories of him dominating on the mound.
He later went on to pitch for the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, and Atlanta Braves.
Happy trails to one of the most fascinating lefties of our generation.
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