Cole Hamels says he's trying to bring old school baseball back with pitch that hit Harper
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Cole Hamels says he's trying to bring old school baseball back with pitch that hit Harper
David Murphy
Cole Hamels likely just cost himself some money in the way of a fine, but the new contract he continues to pitch his way into will more than cover the expense. After holding the Nationals to one run with eight strikeouts in eight innings of work on Sunday night, Hamels didn't beat around the bush when asked what he was trying to do with a first-inning pitch that hit 19-year-old super prospect Bryce Harper in the back.
"I was trying to hit him," Hamels said. "I mean, I'm not going to deny it. It's something that I grew up watching. I'm just trying to continue old baseball, because I think some people get away from it. I remember when I was a rookie, the strike zone was really, really small and you didn't say anything, because that's the way baseball is. But I think unfortunately sometimes the league is protecting certain players and making it not as that kind of old school, prestigious way of baseball."
Hamels channeled his inner Bob Gibson when explaining his mind-set.
"It's just welcome to the big leagues," said Hamels, "and I think he kind of did that to me."
Hamels was referring to the fact that Harper, who was awarded first base with two out, went first to third on an ensuing single, then stole home when Hamels threw to first on a pickoff play.
"If he continues to do that, he's going to make a really good name for himself," Hamels said.
Nationals righthander Jordan Zimmermann responded by hitting Hamels in the leg as he squared to bunt in his first at-bat of the game. Zimmermann told Washington reporters after the game that he was not trying to hit Hamels.
Hamels said he expected to get hit.
"I'm happy that's the way it worked because that's the way it should work," Hamels said.
Hamels emphasized that he was not trying to hurt Harper.
When a reporter asked when he decided to welcome the kid to the big leagues, Hamels offered his first "no comment" of the night.
Earlier, Charlie Manuel said he did not think Hamels was trying to hit Harper.
"It looked to me like he was trying to come up and in on him and he hit him," Manuel said. "That's what I saw."
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Hey Colbert, when you want to make a statement keep it to yourself and don't do it in a game your team really needs to win and it costs a run and the lead. It's all about Colbert. Two starters with issues and he gets suspended. What an ace (almost rolled my eyes out of their sockets). He's the coolest, at least in his mind. It's all about Colbert...again.— TomO- Why don't you just admit it's personal, you can't stand Hamels and want him out of Philly? Eight strong innings pitched and ready to pitch the ninth. Sweep avoided. — escapedcamden4monterey
- As per old school baseball, pitchers are the enforcers and keepers of the true artistry of the game. Why don't you see anything similar to the NBA "in you face" punk attitude in baseball? Because the hitter has to face the opposing pitcher. Why don't you see an equivalent of the NFL premeditated end zone or sack dance in baseball ....the opposing pitcher. So position players be warned: don't dally at home plate watching the home run you just hit or take an extend and leisurely home run trot around the bases. Don't come in hard with spikes high at second base and not expect to pay a price. And most of all, when you are fortunate enough to make it to the show, come in with humility and respect, not as the "anointed one" with an attitude.— nc_bg
- Sometimes when I'm hungry, I make myself a gigantic sandwich and then sit on the couch and eat it.— stoptothinkisanidiot
- need to hit rizzo next— WFChamps
- Love it. Reminds me of Bob Gibson who, when asked why he hit a rookie phenom in a spring training game, said, "I heard he could hit."— ijj
- Hit every National player the next time. They are nobodies and the only real fans in the seats this weekend were Phillies fans. Just another over expansion example of a team named for a city that cannot and will not support it.— flyers Groupie
- I'm disgusted with you Philly fans. These comments show your true colors. Go root for the Broad Street Bullies; I'm done with you and all your teams.— mo123
- I'm disgusted with you Philly fans. These comments show your true colors. Go root for the Broad Street Bullies; I'm done with you and all your teams.— mo123
- Cole did a great job. He needs to be resigned yesterday. And he got his message across without any attempt to injure Harper, just as Zimmerman made the proper response. It should be a non-issue. If he had thrown a fastball at the head it would be completely different. This is like sliding into second to break up the double play, but not like Ty Cobb with spikes high, but just to try and change the game in your favor...— Brooklands
- Always been a huge Cole Hamels fan, but would someone please tell me how this is old school baseball? Did Harper do something to incite Hamels plunking him? Its not like "one flapped around the bases on a homer", or tossed his bat after a big hit. If the plunking was a "welcome to beg leagues", I find it kinda bush league for a professional like Hamels to take it upon himself. Reality check folks, last time I checked, some guys have been really hurt after being hot by a 94 mph fastball. Broken hands, wrists, etc...is not a way to welcome kids to the bigs. And what if Zimmerman's pitch did plunk Hamels in the knee cap and Cole had to spend a few months on the DL due to a dislocated knee cap? This has no place in baseball. But oh, When someone threw at Victorino last year, we all go angry cause it went toward his head? Now we have a sliding scale of what is acceptable for plunking players? REALLY?— drhoffman
- Yes, there is an acceptable way to hit a batter. Or at least there used to be. It's a big part of what made pitchers like Gibson and Drysdale great. Also a lot more brushback pitches back then. The league went all wuss at some point. Cole did it the right way. And he did it for the reason Gibson did: Yes, we know you're good kid but here's a reminder that you have to pay your dues. Let's give Harper credit too. He understood and he made his statement by stealing home. This all makes for great baseball in my opinion.
Gibson brushed back Reggie Jackson in an old-timers game after Jackson had gotten a HR off him in a previous old-timers game. Jackson didn't get a hit in that follow-up game. I love that story.
— s - Hamels' action and his explanation reminds me of the United States' recent foreign policy. Formerly dominant team loses out and goes in decline, acts childish, and then resorts to violence to try to set things right. "USA...USA...USA"!!— tyson987654321
