Halladay endorses Hamels for Opening Day nod
Roy Halladay has made a major league-best 10 straight Opening Day starts. But he's ready to hand the ball to Hamels this year.
Halladay endorses Hamels for Opening Day nod
Roy Halladay has won two Cy Young awards. He's one win shy of 200 career wins and he's arguably been the best pitcher in baseball in the last decade.
He's also started 10 straight Opening Days. But he's ready to hand the ball to the longest-tenured Phillies pitcher this year.
After throwing to hitters for the second time this spring in a live batting practice session, Halladay fully endorsed Cole Hamels as this year's Opening Day starter.
Here's all of what Halladay had to say:
Q: Do you expect Hamels to start Opening Day?
Halladay: "Yeah absolutely, I think the commitment they made to him last year… you know, it’s his time. He’s been here for a long time, he’s had a lot of success here. There aren’t many teams where you have a World Series MVP and then you bring in 4-5 guys to pitch in front of him. It should have been his spot a long time ago. I think it’s something he’s going to embrace. And really after Opening Day, we’re all five days apart anyway.
"But I talked to him about it when we’re going out and doing drills, stuff like that, it’s time for him now to kind of step up and take charge in those situations and establish himself as the head of the staff."
Q: So you expect that's the way they'll go, with Hamels on Opening Day?
Halladay: "Yeah, after the year he had last year and everything else. I think you earn it year-to-year. There is no… I don’t care what you’ve done in baseball, what you’ve done in the game. I’ve always believe you come in every year to earn your spot in spring training and he earned his spot last year as the Opening Day starter. He deserves that and I think that’s they way it should be."
Agreed - Hamels should open. Then Doc & Lee also set up L, R, L— tklem- Halliday is the classiest and hardest working guy in MLB. So glad he's a Phillie.— NCNovaguy
This guy exudes class. There isn't one "ego" bone in his body. And, I think the three of them (Halladay, Lee, and Hamels) have equal respect for each other. If this threesome is healthy (and they are used correctly) they could cover a multitude of sins. But, if the defense lets them down (specifically the defense in the corner outfield positions and the hot corner) and the health of the set up man goes sideways, we could be in for a long season. I personally think the hitting couldn't possibly get worse than it was last year. If all facets come together, we've got a shot, just like any other team. But, it will take all hands on deck performing to the level they should perform. And, Manuel needs to smarten up in regard to substitutions, his handling of the pitching staff, and proper use of the bullpen. That might be asking just a little too much, so the players may have to do what they've been doing since 2007 -- win INSPITE of the mismanagement that probably will continue.- @Ghost: Great post and I do agree with using a smarter approach in allowing none of the Big Three to go deep into the games, more so in April with the cold weather. These guys no longer need to be throwing 7-8-9 innings just because they are aces and horses. Save it for the September pennant drive. I expect a great year out of Hamels and if all goes well, could we be finally speaking Cy Young? That is, if the bats finally give Colbert run support. I also agree with the below posters who think an early Halladay signing should be warranted if he shows he is back. This team should not string him along....
- who scares you on the Nats? Bryce Haper? he's what 21. unless he's the greatest player ever he still needs a year. Gio and the rest? I'd rather have the Phils pitchers. Jason Werth? Ryan Zimmerman with his wild throws? Am I missing something? Braves offense has potential to be nice, but I thibk the phils offense has a better chance to be nice than the Braves. Nats shortstop(blanking on name) to Rollins? No reason to think the Phils won't be just as competitive as any other team. And something tells me Ryan Howard looks like he is about to go off. Out of the the top NL East teams, who has the best hitters?
- tklem, I agree also. I like the LRL set up!— phillynupe4
- I want to see Doc pitch 3 good starts in April, then Amaro announce a restructured extention, 3 more years at somewhat reduced money. Doc retires in red pinstripes with at least one ring!— GNIKGNARLY
- What if Halladay goes on to win 20 games this year? You still want him to take a cut in pay? Let's wait until September before announcing an extension. By then we'll know what kind of a pitcher he was this year and can compensate him (or not) appropriately. — SteveS11
- Doc is all class, and a true professional. Too bad J Roll can't act like Doc, and put the team ahead of himself..— C-Note
- How the FAB 3 goes so goes the phillies, looking for a competitive year, Phillies in t he playoff.— PHILLY76
- LRL RLL RLR LLR LRL LRLR LLRL RLLR LRL LR LRLL RLR LLRL RL LRL RLL RLR LLRL
This is their schedule for April and May. Assuming all starters continue in their rotation, which I think is important for the starters and the team for regularity, which they got away from last year. Of the 18 series during those two months, 8 will have two leftys going back to back. The LRL doesn't make much of a difference at all.
The feeble stability of today's pitcher makes me think, maybe we need to go to a 6 man rotation of LRLRLR, let's say if we went and got Lohse. Our starters could then pitch deeper into games, giving our bullpen a rest, and they'd be sufficiently well-rested for the playoffs.— AHash - You know Koufax and Drysdale probably had the same prob— robinlupe
