Posted: Thursday, October 23, 2008, 12:19 AM | 13 comments |
 

Hamels: Birth of Greatness
options
 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - He is like a god, the great and mysterious Steve Carlton. All of these years later, there really is no other way to put it. You could say that he is a forever member of the Phillies' franchise pantheon, except that this does not quite do the man justice. What is above the pantheon? What?

As we ask these questions, Cole Hamels begins to join the conversation.

Curt Schilling made his name in October. He did it in Philadelphia, and in Arizona, and in Boston. He cemented his image, forever, with a bloody sock when he played for the Red Sox. It was long after his Phillies days. But it all began with a towel over his head in the dugout at Veterans Stadium in 1993, a towel on his head and big game after big game after big game on the mound.

And now, Cole Hamels enters the circle.

Game 1 of the World Series, ridiculous atmosphere, pressure beyond calculation - and Hamels shrugged. Last night, Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay Rays, an enormous game, a gigantic moment - and Hamels excelled.

He was good. He was tough. He was bailed out by a couple of double plays. He threw 102 pitches in seven innings, allowing only two runs and five hits.

Hamels and the Phillies beat the Rays in Game 1 of the Series, 3-2. Hamels and the Phillies have gone on the road and done their carpe-diem best, again.

What we are witnessing now is the birth of greatness. It sounds hokey, overdone, completely over the top - but if not that, then what? At the age of 24, Hamels has pitched his way into Phillies history. That's it. There can be no dispute.

Posted by Rich Hofmann @ 12:19 AM  Permalink | 13 comments
13
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:29 AM, 10/23/2008
    I 100% agree, he was awesome tonight, GO PHILS!
    — Jeffe
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:36 AM, 10/23/2008
    I wish I had a printing press in my cellar so I could help pay his salary for 16 more years. Very, very, very good game by King Cole tonight.
    — Mike H.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:42 AM, 10/23/2008
    could not agree more -- the fact that hamels is only 24 ... pitching like he has this post-season ... I'll be most happy when the front office signs him to a long-term deal, I know he has a few arbitration years left, but if there is a phillie more deserving to be locked up now, I can't think of any
    — spark88
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:49 AM, 10/23/2008
    HE WAS REALLY COOL. CONFIDENT. THE UTLEY HOMER WAS KEY TO BUILD CONFIDENCE EARLY. WE PULLED OUT A TIGHT ONE! WHEW! GO PHILLIES!!
    — bigbuck54
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:49 AM, 10/23/2008
    The Carlton comparison is warranted - I agree. The best two lefties this organization has ever had. But, Cole is 24, and the Phils only acquired Carlton at 28. Let's watch this kid over the next few years. Will the front offfice continue to pay him the minimum through his pre-arbitration years? Isn't that the kind of behavior that the Cardinals used to lose Carlton to the Phils for Rick Wise in '73?
    — Bake McBride
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:53 AM, 10/23/2008
    Hamels led the majors in WHIP for starters this year. They always talk about "quality starts" but if you look at the number of games he pitched 7 or more innings while giving up 2 or less runs, he led the majors in that category this year also. The team is always in the game when he pitches and he's just taken it up another notch in the post-season which is definitely a sign of a great player. Great job tonight by Hamels and the rest of the team to steal homefield advantage.
    — JimG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:53 AM, 10/23/2008
    COLE MAKES YOU FEEL CALM WITH HIS COOLNESS. UTLEY MADE HIM FEEL CALM. WAY TO PULL OFF THE CLOSE ONE FELLAS! GO PHILLIES!!
    — bigbuck54
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:18 AM, 10/23/2008
    Hamels looked great tonight...he is still leaving some breaking stuff up in the zone against left handed batters and has paid for it on occasion...he will learn to fix that as he gets more experience.
    — joey2times
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:25 AM, 10/23/2008
    SWEEP
    — mick314
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:25 AM, 10/23/2008
    Rich, you picked the Rays to win the series! You don't have any idea what you are talking about. You go wherever the wind blows you! You are a jerk, no wonder the players can't stand you.
    — bobmc
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:01 AM, 10/23/2008
    Good comparison, saw Carlton pitch many Sunday afternoon games at the Vet. Out of curiousity, what is Hamels' salary situation? The Phils better pay him what he's worth. And by the way, I loved Rick Wise, number 38. Still remember the 4-0 no hitter against the Reds, think it was in 71 or 72. Watched it on channel 17 TV with my dad. Had to adjust the antenna alot (pre-cable) Think he hit two homers in that game too (DH? Who needs a DH? Let Brett Myers bat tonight) Phils used to have some really good hitting pitchers, including Carlton and Ken Brett. John Vukovich was playing third that night and made a tremendous play if I remember right. Ah, the highlights that you remember of the early 1970s, Frank Luchessi era phillies, lol.
    — staggerlee
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:01 AM, 10/23/2008
    Good short article Rich and it all needed to be said. Cole's future achievements will depend on his heart and work ethic. Lets hope we have many more years to watch him mature and become one of the all time greats. I don't see how the front office can put off a big pay raise for him and others at seasons end. GO PHILS!!!
    — Wally 24
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:43 PM, 10/23/2008
    Rich is a jerk? The players can't stand him? Just what I'm looking for ... a columnist beloved by the players. Sounds like bobmc got passed over for a Daily News job. Hofmann doesn't make the hires, Bob.
    — Brookie64


13 comments
About Rich Hofmann
Rich Hofmann arrived at the Daily News in 1980 for a job whose status was officially designated as "full-time, temporary." A senior at Penn at the time, he was hired to fill in on the copy desk during a staff illness. The notion of him covering the Eagles or being a columnist did not exist in anyone's imagination. It was supposed to be six weeks and out, but he never left. It is only one of the reasons why so many people have concerns about him as a potential house guest. Rich has blogged the postseasons of the Flyers and Eagles. E-mail Rich at hofmanr@phillynews.com

Join on Facebook    Follow on Twitter

Advertise Here