Cole Hamels facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cole Hamels |
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Hamels with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: December 27, 1983 San Diego, California, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| May 12, 2006, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 16, 2020, for the Atlanta Braves | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 163–122 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.43 | ||
| Strikeouts | 2,560 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Cole Hamels (born December 27, 1983), also known as "Hollywood", is a former professional baseball pitcher from the United States. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, and Atlanta Braves.
Cole Hamels grew up in San Diego, California. He was a great student and athlete at Rancho Bernardo High School. The Phillies picked him in the first round of the 2002 MLB Draft. He then started playing in the Phillies' minor league teams. He faced some challenges, including injuries, during his first few years. By 2006, he was the top pitcher in the Phillies' minor league system.
Hamels made his major league debut with the Phillies in May 2006. He quickly became a key part of their starting rotation. In 2007, he became one of the team's best pitchers. He was the top pitcher for the Phillies in 2008 when they won the 2008 World Series. He was even named the World Series MVP.
After 2008, Hamels signed a new contract. His performance dipped a bit in 2009 but improved in 2010. Over the next few years, he pitched alongside other famous pitchers like Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Roy Oswalt. Hamels played some of his best seasons during this time. He was traded to the Texas Rangers in 2015, helping them win their division. He played for the Rangers for parts of four seasons, including an All-Star year in 2016. Later, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2018. In 2020, he pitched only a few innings due to injury. Hamels announced his retirement from baseball in 2023.
Contents
- Early Life and High School Years
- Professional Baseball Career
- Pitching Style
- Personal Life
- More About Cole Hamels
- See also
Early Life and High School Years
Cole Hamels went to Meadowbrook Middle School and Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego. He was a very smart student. Baseball scouts were interested in him because his fastball was very fast. He also had advanced secondary pitches. However, some teams worried when he broke his pitching arm during his sophomore year. Despite this, the Philadelphia Phillies drafted him in the first round of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft. He was the 17th player chosen overall.
Professional Baseball Career
Starting in the Minor Leagues
Cole Hamels began his professional baseball journey in 2003. He pitched for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. Later that year, he moved up to the Clearwater Threshers. He earned the Paul Owens Award for being the best pitcher in the Phillies' minor league system.
The next two seasons were tough for Hamels due to several injuries. He missed most of 2004 with elbow problems. In 2005, he broke his pitching hand in an accident before the season. After recovering, he played for Clearwater again. In July, the Phillies promoted him to the Class AA Reading Phillies. He then had to stop playing for the rest of the season because of back pain.
In 2006, Hamels was healthy again. He started at Clearwater, then briefly played for Reading. He was then promoted to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. In three games there, he struck out 36 batters. He gave up only one walk and one run. His minor league record was 14 wins and 4 losses, with a very low ERA of 1.43. He also had 273 strikeouts in 35 games. Because of his excellent performance, the Phillies called him up to the major league team.
Playing for the Philadelphia Phillies
First Season in MLB (2006)
Hamels joined the Philadelphia Phillies in May 2006. In his first MLB game on May 12, he pitched five innings without giving up any runs. He allowed only one hit and struck out seven batters. He got his first Major League victory on June 6 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. On August 14, 2006, he had one of his best games. He pitched eight shutout innings against the New York Mets, striking out nine. He finished his first season with 9 wins and 8 losses. His earned run average (ERA) was 4.08, and he had 145 strikeouts.
Becoming an All-Star (2007)
Hamels worked hard in the offseason before 2007. On April 21, 2007, he pitched his first major league complete game. He allowed only one run and struck out a career-high 15 batters. Just days before, the Phillies made him their number one starting pitcher. On May 16, he almost pitched a perfect game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Because of his strong performance, Hamels was chosen for the NL All-Star Team. He was the Phillies' most consistent pitcher. Later in the season, he had a mild elbow strain and was placed on the disabled list. When he returned, he helped the Phillies win their division. In the playoffs, he started Game 1 of the National League Division Series. The Phillies lost the series. Hamels finished the regular season with 15 wins and 5 losses, a 3.39 ERA, and 177 strikeouts. He won the "Steve Carlton Most Valuable Pitcher" award.
World Series Champion (2008)
Before the 2008 season, Hamels felt he was not being paid enough for his great performance. Despite this, he was the team's top pitcher. By the end of April, he led the Phillies in wins, ERA, and innings pitched. On May 15, he pitched his first career complete game shutout against the Atlanta Braves. He was not chosen for the All-Star Game, even with his strong numbers. For the season, Hamels had 14 wins and 10 losses with a 3.09 ERA.
Hamels pitched incredibly well in the playoffs. In Game 1 of the 2008 National League Division Series, he pitched eight shutout innings. He struck out nine batters, earning his first playoff win. He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2008 National League Championship Series. He won both of his starts in that series.
Hamels started Game 1 of the 2008 World Series. The Phillies won, and he earned his fourth win of the postseason. He also started Game 5, which was paused due to rain. When the game resumed, the Phillies won the World Series.
In total, Hamels made five starts in the 2008 postseason. He had 4 wins and 0 losses with a 1.80 ERA. He was named the 2008 World Series MVP. Many experts praised his amazing performance in October. He won the "Steve Carlton Most Valuable Pitcher" award for the second year in a row.
Challenges and Comeback (2009-2010)
Hamels signed a new three-year contract in 2009. He was expected to be the Opening Day starter. However, he had elbow tightness during spring training and missed the start of the season. He also had shoulder and ankle injuries early on. His performance suffered, and he finished the season with 10 wins and 11 losses, and a 4.32 ERA. This was his first season with a losing record.
In 2010, the Phillies traded for Roy Halladay. Hamels had a strong comeback season. On June 7, he pitched over six innings of no-hit baseball against the San Diego Padres. He also won five games in a row. The Phillies had the best record in MLB that year. Hamels pitched a complete-game shutout in Game 3 of the 2010 National League Division Series. The Phillies advanced to the 2010 National League Championship Series but lost to the San Francisco Giants.
Hamels finished 2010 with 12 wins and 11 losses, and a career-best 3.06 ERA. He also struck out a career-high 211 batters. He often pitched well but didn't get much help from his team's offense.
The "Phantastic Phour" (2011)
In 2011, Cliff Lee returned to the Phillies. This created a powerful pitching rotation with Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels. Fans and media called them the "Phantastic Phour."
Hamels was chosen for the 2011 MLB All-Star Game. However, he couldn't play because he had pitched the Sunday before the game. The Phillies again had the best record in MLB. In the 2011 National League Division Series, Hamels won Game 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals. But the Phillies lost the series.
Hamels finished 2011 with 14 wins and 9 losses, 194 strikeouts, and an excellent 2.79 ERA. He was one of the top pitchers in the league.
Career Highs and New Contract (2012)
After the 2011 season, Hamels had surgeries on his elbow and for a hernia. He was ready to pitch by spring training in 2012. In January, he signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Phillies.
On May 6, Hamels was suspended for five games after hitting a player intentionally. On July 21, 2012, he hit his first career home run. He then signed a big six-year, $144 million contract extension with the Phillies. This was one of the largest contracts ever for a pitcher at the time.
Hamels had career highs in wins (17) and strikeouts (216) in 2012. His 3.05 ERA was his second-best. He again won the "Steve Carlton Most Valuable Pitcher" award.
Dealing with Challenges (2013-2014)
In 2013, Hamels was named the Opening Day starter for the first time. However, he struggled early in the season. He often pitched well, but his team's offense didn't score many runs for him. He had a record of 1 win and 8 losses at one point. Despite this, he kept a positive attitude. He finished the season with 8 wins and 14 losses, a 3.60 ERA, and 202 strikeouts. Even with his losing record, 25 of his 33 starts were "quality starts," meaning he gave his team a good chance to win.
Before the 2014 season, Hamels announced he wouldn't be ready for Opening Day due to arm pain. He made his first start on April 23. He continued to be one of the best pitchers in the National League, even though his team didn't score many runs for him. On September 1, Hamels pitched six innings of a combined no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves. He was the only consistent star for the Phillies that year.
No-Hitter and Trade (2015)
At the start of the 2015 season, many teams were interested in trading for Hamels. On July 25, 2015, in his final start for the Phillies, Hamels pitched a no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. He struck out 13 batters and allowed only two walks. This was the first no-hitter against the Cubs in 50 years.
Just days later, on July 31, 2015, Hamels was traded to the Texas Rangers. He was the first pitcher to be traded during a season right after pitching a no-hitter for his old team.
Playing for the Texas Rangers
Helping the Rangers Win (2015)
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With the Rangers, Hamels had 7 wins and 1 loss in 12 starts. The Rangers were struggling before he arrived. But after he joined, they started winning more games. They won their division on the last day of the season. Hamels pitched a complete-game win to help them clinch the title. His arrival had a big positive impact on the team.
The Rangers lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in the playoffs. Hamels started Game 5, and the Rangers were leading when he left the game. However, his teammates made some errors, and the Blue Jays scored runs and won the game.
All-Star Season (2016)
Hamels was the Opening Day starter for the Rangers in 2016. On June 12, he recorded his 2,000th career strikeout, a big milestone. He was named to the 2016 MLB All-Star Game. On September 28, he reached 200 strikeouts for the season.
Hamels finished 2016 with 15 wins and 5 losses, and a 3.32 ERA in 32 starts.
Later Years with the Rangers (2017-2018)
In 2017, Hamels was placed on the disabled list in May due to a strained muscle. He missed about eight weeks. He finished the season with 11 wins and 6 losses, and a 4.20 ERA in 24 starts.
Hamels started 2018 as the Rangers' top pitcher. In 20 starts, he had 5 wins and 9 losses with a 4.72 ERA.
Time with the Chicago Cubs
On July 27, 2018, Hamels was traded to the Chicago Cubs. He made his first appearance as a Cub on August 1, striking out nine batters. He pitched very well in his first five starts with the Cubs, winning four games with a very low ERA.
For the entire 2018 season, combining his time with both teams, he had 9 wins and 12 losses with a 3.78 ERA. He also pitched in relief in the Cubs’ playoff loss to the Colorado Rockies.
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In 2019, he had 7 wins and 7 losses with a 3.81 ERA in 27 starts.
Short Stint with the Atlanta Braves
On December 4, 2019, Hamels signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves. He suffered a shoulder injury during spring training. However, the start of the 2020 season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, he made only one start, pitching just over three innings.
Comeback Attempts and Retirement
On August 4, 2021, Hamels signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, he experienced arm pain and was placed on the injured list, ending his attempt to return.
After his time with the Dodgers, Hamels had three different surgeries to try and prepare for another comeback. On February 16, 2023, he signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. He planned to pitch for their Triple-A team. But he had shoulder inflammation and could not continue his comeback.
On August 4, 2023, Cole Hamels announced his retirement from professional baseball. On June 21, 2024, the Phillies held a special ceremony where Hamels officially retired as a member of the team.
Pitching Style
Cole Hamels was known for having one of the best changeups in baseball. Experts said his changeup was very effective, especially against right-handed batters. His high school pitching coach believed Hamels developed his great changeup because he broke his arm in high school. This forced him to focus on that pitch.
A famous player, Chipper Jones, once said Hamels was the "best left-hander in the National League." He praised Hamels' fastball and called his changeup "devastating." Besides his changeup, Hamels threw a four-seam fastball that could reach up to 96 miles per hour. He also threw a cutter and a curveball. The cutter helped him get more ground balls from hitters.
Personal Life
Cole Hamels is the oldest of three children. He grew up in San Diego. He married Heidi Strobel in 2006. They have children. The Hamels family built a home in Branson, Missouri, but decided to move to Texas. They then donated their large Missouri home to Camp Barnabas, a Christian charity that runs camps for children with special needs and chronic illnesses. Hamels said they felt called to help Camp Barnabas because they loved seeing the joy of the children there.
The Hamels Foundation was started in 2009. It was a non-profit organization that aimed to help children, families, and communities through education around the world. After Cole Hamels left the organization in 2021, it was renamed "Uplift Malawi" and now focuses on building schools in Malawi.
More About Cole Hamels
- List of Major League Baseball annual shutout leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
- List of Philadelphia Phillies award winners and league leaders
- List of Philadelphia Phillies no-hitters
- List of World Series starting pitchers
See also
In Spanish: Cole Hamels para niños
