Hold It on Hamels
Let's wait and see what happens before killing Cole Hamels.
Hold It on Hamels
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
As he stood there in the visiting clubhouse in Nationals Park last night, Cole Hamels had not been asked by his manager if he would pitch on Sunday against the Mets in New York, which would result in the skipping of Kyle Kendrick's turn in the rotation. He wasn't given the opportunity to say yes or no.
Can we at least wait until the question is asked before commencing with the ritual dismemberment of one of the best pitchers in major-league baseball?
I think he should pitch on Sunday if they ask him. I think Hamels will pitch on Sunday if they ask him. In the absence of some injury that we don't now know about, I will be disappointed if he doesn't take the ball. I think a lot of people will be.
But wait. Please, wait. Because while it is true that he did not put up his hand and volunteer last night after the game, consider his position for a second. What was he supposed to do -- put up his hand and volunteer to usurp a teammate who is struggling?
Hamels has pitched more than 200 innings. Hamels has been hurt every year before this one. Hamels hasn't yet signed the big contract. Hamels is a worrier by nature when it comes to his arm. All of this is true and it all factors in. He is cautious. He might never be the one to demand the ball in that situation -- even if it is on his regular rest day. That is all fair commentary.
But let's wait and see. Let's see how he feels today and tomorrow, after another fine outing Tuesday night. Let's see if he's as healthy as advertised after this many innings. Let's see what he says when they ask him. There really is no issue until that happens.
Agreed!— gho_matt
Such a sad commentary on the state of this sports fan base that we need to be asked not criticize someone for saying something he has not yet said.— RollinsWasRight- If I had his freakin' phone number, I'D ask him!— TBear
Comment removed.- I have listened to Cole. The one thing he has consistently said is that he wants to pitch on a regular schedule, that he doesn't want to go on short rest, or extra rest, that he feels he is at his best every fifth day. Why would I expect anything less from him now, if Charlie and Rich Dubee eventually ask him to pitch Sunday? There is a difference between having a man crush, and having a brain. Most Philadelphia fans have neither.— RollinsWasRight
- This is exactly what Jimmy was talking about...free agents don't want to come to Philly because of nonsense like this. All day on sports radio, listeners and hosts alike have been ripping Hamels for something he hasn't even said yet. Why would a free agent expose themselves, friends and family to that stuff? Philly fans talk about HOW knowledgable they are, but for the most part they are led around by the nose by clueless talk radio hosts and spout out what they hear on the same shows.— roper956
- This would all be a moot point had the Phils brain trust decided to start Cole, with his regular rest, in the first game back from the All-Star break in Florida (July 18)against the Marlins. Instead, they held him back until Sunday (July 20). Hamels ended up missing the Mets the following week (another loss) as well. Hamels said at the time he did not want or need the extra 2 days. In fact, after his start on July 20,when he did not top 90mph, he said he had a hard time getting loose with the extra rest. Maybe the brass should have looked ahead at the schedule, after all, the Mets are the team you want Hamels to face more than any other.— JRH13
- RollinsWasRight, you sound like a jealous transplant from D.C. Tell me you are not originally from Philly and I will understand. You seem to consistently take positions that most Philadelphia fans don't agree with. Maybe you should consider moving away and saving us from your annoying posts.— GHOSTPHAYCE
- We would have won in '64 if Mauch hadn't pitched Short and Bunning every other day. All they had to do was win one freakin' game. They would have done it on regular rest. Let Kendrick pitch. He got you where you went last year. Leave Hamels on his regular schedule. there is no need to play with his head.— Bama
- Nice post.— CyHamels
- Yessir Mr. Hoffman. I'll be a well behaved Philly fan and just sit here and deal with mediocrity and take it. Stupid me for wanting to win.— davekrieg
- Comment removed.
- Only time I ever spent in D.C. was a week when I was 16 on a school trip. Born and raised in the metro-Philly area, and currently residing in the Northeast for the last few years. As far as moving, no thanks. You see, my family is here, my job is here, my girlfriend and her job are here... my life is here. Why should anyone be expected to move because ignorant Philadelphians want the freedom to be obnoxious and crude about their sports without having to deal with the repurcussions of having it pointed out to them once in a while? Just because I do not blindly follow the ignorant masses doesn't mean I am not Philadelphia born and bred; it just means that I realize that doesn't mean a darn thing, and is no excuse for acting like a creep.— RollinsWasRight
- Amazing that in the birthplace of a country that prides itself on freedom of speech I am told to consider moving because people don't want to hear dissenting opinions. Unwillingness to hear dissenting opinion is a sign of lacking intelligence.— RollinsWasRight
- Comment removed.
