The Overlooked Greatness of Cole Hamels — and Why His Hall of Fame Argument Is Impossible to Ignore. DD
The 2008 World Series (and NLCS) MVP deserves a spot in Cooperstown, don’t you think?
Cole Hamels was one of the first homegrown draft picks who saw genuine success in Philadelphia. Drafted 17th overall in 2002, Hamels only needed four years before he made his MLB debut. As the southpaw made himself known throughout the Philadelphia Phillies organization, it was clear that he had something special that was long-awaited at the major league level.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame announced last week that Cole Hamels is a first-year nominee, hoping to feel the glory of being immortalized in baseball history. While he probably won’t be elected this time around, Hamels’ standout career makes a solid case for why he deserves to sit alongside the likes of Steve Carlton and fellow “Four Aces” member Roy Halladay.
There are just a few reasons for the argument as to why Hamels shouldn’t make it, but there are several more reasons why “Hollywood” should be hitting it big within the next 10 years of Hall of Fame eligibility. The now 41-year-old lefty’s career win total (163) is a little lower, and his ERA (3.43) is a little higher than most pitchers in Cooperstown.
However, the stats that shine out for him make a more compelling case as to why he deserves to be there. While he was just a four-time All-Star and ended his career Cy Young-less, Hamels’ unconventional case for the Hall of Fame is an important one, and it embodies the heart of the teams in which he was a part during his Phillies tenure.
Cole Hamels’ career forever intertwined with Phillies as he aims for Hall of Fame
The best years of Hamels’ career were spent in Philadelphia, there is no denying that. From being the team’s most valuable player through two series during the 2008 postseason run to his no-hitter in 2015 to the fact that he is just one of 10 pitchers with an ERA+ above 120 and a K/9 above 8.0 in at least 2,500 innings are standout alone.
But if the jury needs more evidence, allow us to cross with this.
Hamels finished his career with 2,560 strikeouts, which is 34th all time. Additionally, his 59 bWAR is significantly higher than most pitchers also on the ballot. While each year there are stats that help his case, one for all Phillies fans to remember when justifying why he should be inducted is that, at just 24 years old, he posted a 1.80 ERA and led this franchise to its first World Series win since 1980.
Much like current No. 1 prospect Andrew Painter, Hamels’ journey to the majors was long-awaited by fans and plagued by a series of injuries to start his career. However, and to hopefully provide Painter with hope, once Hamels finally began a season healthy, he quickly advanced through the minor league system and made his debut in May 2006.
Despite adversity at the beginning of his career due to his youth, Hamels has since become one of the most recognizable names in Phillies history, especially for anyone who holds the late 2000s/early 2010s teams close to their heart. While he didn’t get to spend his entire career in Philadelphia, he spent the best parts of it with the Phillies, and in turn is welcomed home warmly whenever he’s around the ballpark.
