SOUTH PHILADELPHIA – A particular tribute at Residents Financial institution Park Friday night time, as former ace Cole Hamels was honored, formally retiring as a Phillie, the place he pitched for 10 seasons and named MVP within the 2008 World Sequence.
“It was heartfelt. I cherished it,” fan Jenna Gakgowski described the night.
Followers dug out their Hamels jerseys, whereas the Phillies dugout was crammed with stars of the primary World Sequence champs, Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton. Lots of the ’08 champs had been additionally readily available.
Hamels supervisor, Charlie Guide, helped Cole don his quantity 35 jersey once more with a purpose to throw out the primary pitch to his trusted catcher Chooch Ruiz.
For followers, it was a magical second.
“Superior! It was simply implausible. He nonetheless appears like he did when he was 22 years previous,” Mark Petrancuri commented.
“Personally, I like Chooch. I like him,” Gakgowski added.
After it was all executed, Hamels took a seat within the media room, perhaps for the ultimate time.
“The way you guys all doing?” Hamels laughed.
He continued, “It is a particular place. I’m actually, actually lucky that today got here up and the way every thing turned out with a few of the finest teammates I’ve ever had. I acquired to play a sport I like and to do it for those who actually respect it.”
He remarked, “We acquired to do one thing actually particular in a metropolis. And the bond we now have is gonna be ceaselessly. And, to have the ability to come again and be welcomed and cherished and simply to attempt to acknowledge how grateful we’re that we acquired to play in entrance of a few of the finest followers on this planet and we acquired to win.”