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Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Hold It on Hamels

 

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.

 

 

Posted by Rich Hofmann @ 2:04 PM  Permalink | 28 comments
28
Comments   
Posted 02:23 PM, 09/03/2008
gho_matt
Agreed!
Posted 02:37 PM, 09/03/2008
RollinsWasRight
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.
Posted 02:37 PM, 09/03/2008
TBear
If I had his freakin' phone number, I'D ask him!
Posted 02:39 PM, 09/03/2008
JimG
Totally agreed. I'd even say that the Phils worry more about his health than even Hamels himself. There have been several games where Hamels has come out in the 8th or 9th inning because Manuel pulled him even though he wanted to stay in the game.
Posted 02:44 PM, 09/03/2008
DanIsGay
You just have a man-crush on Cole
Posted 02:48 PM, 09/03/2008
RollinsWasRight
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.
Posted 02:59 PM, 09/03/2008
roper956
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.
Posted 03:01 PM, 09/03/2008
JRH13
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.
Posted 03:01 PM, 09/03/2008
GHOSTPHAYCE
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.
Posted 03:15 PM, 09/03/2008
Bama
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.
Posted 03:19 PM, 09/03/2008
CyHamels
Nice post.
Posted 03:21 PM, 09/03/2008
davekrieg
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.
Posted 03:29 PM, 09/03/2008
BurbGuy
Face it...athletes aren't what they used to be. The financial stakes are too high for them to risk their health and fortunes just to help their team win. Sad, but true.
Posted 03:36 PM, 09/03/2008
RollinsWasRight
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.
Posted 03:40 PM, 09/03/2008
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.
Posted 04:18 PM, 09/03/2008
The Red Robot
I say get the boy his chiropractor and roll him out there on Sunday.
Posted 04:18 PM, 09/03/2008
Wally 24
All season long I've felt that somehow Charlie had gotten hold of Mauchs Memoirs and is using them to manage us out of the post season. How else do you explain the incessant platooning and bizarre pitching changes.
Posted 04:26 PM, 09/03/2008
Wally 24
On the Murphy post they are claiming Hamels is holding back for monitary reasons and I'm not sure that is totally true. Suppose the whole season comes down to Sunday and we lose do any of you think Charlie will step up and take the blame for pitching him on short rest? I think the only senseable option other than Kendrick is Happ.
Posted 04:32 PM, 09/03/2008
RollinsWasRight
roper956 for President
Posted 04:40 PM, 09/03/2008
Wilford Brimley
I wish that moron Cataldi would go back on vacation, then there wouldn't be a need for posts like this
Posted 04:47 PM, 09/03/2008
Jeg7777
I don't have a problem with Hamels not saying publicly that he wasn't sure about starting Sunday. I think he's being a good teammate by not throwing Kendrick under the bus. However, behind the scenes he ought to be lobbying for the start. If he's healthy, and he's the ace that he and everyone thinks he is, he starts Sunday. Or else he shouldn't DARE ask for the sums of money he's going to demand next year and in the future.
Posted 04:48 PM, 09/03/2008
Jeg7777
To be precise...I don't have a problem with Hamels saying publicly...
Posted 04:49 PM, 09/03/2008
RollinsWasRight
Boy, some of us were so wrong for not blasting Hamels for refusing to start Sunday BEFORE he ever refused to start Sunday... considering they just announced he IS starting on Sunday. What were we, the rational people, thinking???
Posted 05:15 PM, 09/03/2008
GHOSTPHAYCE
"There is a difference between having a man crush, and having a brain. Most Philadelphia fans have neither." - (RollinsWasRight 9/3/2008) That's an ignorant statement. Ignorance is a sign of lacking intelligence. I'm just going to remind people once in awhile that came from you in NE Philly.
Posted 05:19 PM, 09/03/2008
stefek23
RWR and roper - I wish more people like you (if they exist) would call the lame talk shows and post more in forums like this. How Philly ever got the reputation for being a knowledgable sports town is beyond me. You're right - having a different opinion from the rest of the sheep means you're not a true fan or don't know what you're talking about. Keep up the intelligent work.
Posted 05:24 PM, 09/03/2008
RollinsWasRight
Go right ahead. Remind away. Want me to help? I make no secret of my disdain for the obnoxious vocal minority that makes the intelligent fans in this town look so bad so often. I typically refer to these people as "Eagles fans", but really, that is a bit unfair. There are one or two fans of the Eagles who don't fall into that category. One or two...
Posted 06:42 PM, 09/03/2008
Wally 24
Perez has been tough on us. I hope we get after him early and often tonight. Blanton could use a win for his efforts the last 3 games. It would be great to take a couple wins into NY friday. I think Myers will handle the Mets but I'm hoping Moyer can hang in there with them. He gave up 6 runs last time and Kendrick gave up 3. I think the whole key is how we pitch to Delgado, Reyes, & Tatis. Typically Beltran doesn't do a whole lot against us not to say he couldn't but we usually handle him.
Posted 09:47 AM, 09/04/2008
GHOSTPHAYCE
RollinsWasRight, you are living in the wrong city. Maybe you should put on your rose-colored glasses and head over to the Midwest. This is not St Louis, where every fan is going to kiss your ass just b/c you are in the home team's uniform. In Philadelphia, a traditional working class town, you have to earn the respect of the fanbase. And once you get it, you have to continue to work to keep it. If you go to L.A. and sit down on a talk show and disrespect the fan base you deserve to be shamed. That was a stupid move by Rollins. Would he have said anything like that if he had not been under-performing this year? I doubt it. I like Jimmy and I definitely will root for him, but that was a snake in the grass move on his part. What he should have done is take responsibility for not getting on base much. He made things happen for this team last year, but can't get it going in 2008. We don't need people like you who think they are better than everyone else in this city. It's proably best that you quit your job, take your girlfriend and find a new home loser.
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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.

You can now follow The Idle Rich on Twitter.
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