Tragic Fortune: Thousands of fans in tears as the story of a hero came to and end after showing up in a…..
Before their eagerly awaited rematch in the National League Championship Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Philadelphia Phillies will commemorate one of their franchise superstars with a retirement ceremony on Friday. It promises to be a memorable evening.
Fans will be able to honor Cole Hamels’ career before the game begins on the field.
Originally selected by the Phillies with the 17th pick overall in the 2022 MLB draft, this left-hander went on to become one of the team’s all-time great pitchers. Pitching with Philadelphia from 2006 to 2015, Hamels was the 2008 World Series MVP, was selected three times for the All-Star team, and placed four times in the Top 10 of the NL Cy Young voting.
Near the top of numerous Phillies records, he concluded his career with the sixth-most wins (114), fourth-most games started (294), fourth-most innings pitched (1,930), and third-most strikeouts (1,844). He also ranked fourth in bWAR for pitchers (42.0).
Special guests of his former Philadelphia teammates and coaches, including Joe Blanton, Rich Dubee, Tom “Flash” Gordon, Charlie Manuel, Jamie Moyer, Roy Oswalt, and Carlos Ruiz, will be present at the on-field ceremony, which is scheduled to start at 6:25 p.m. A “special presentation” with owner John Middleton and Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt is expected to take place, in addition to a video showcasing his career.
A replica 2009 NL Championship ring will be given to fans who are at least 15 years old.
After pitching a no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs—which ended up being his final start for the franchise that selected him—he was traded to the Texas Rangers for a sizable haul around the 2015 trade deadline, ending his time in Philadelphia.
After this deal, he pitched in the Major League Baseball for five more years. His decision to retire as a Phillies player is fantastic, even though it was disappointing to see him go in the manner that he did.
The current roster hopes to pay tribute to him on Friday by defeating the Diamondbacks in their first meeting since the NLCS. It should be a memorable night.
