If necessary, Phillies' Hamels wants to start Game 7

After the game last night, Cole Hamels stood at his locker and smiled sheepishly and said, "I've said some dumb things. I think everybody has . . . It's hard. It's hard to play baseball and talk sometimes."

After his loss in Game 3 of the World Series, the latest in a run of frustrating outings for the 2008 World Series Most Valuable Player, Hamels was quoted in an interview as saying, "I can't wait for it to end. It's been mentally draining. But, you know what, it's one of those things, a year in, you just can't wait for a fresh start . . . "

The effect in the town would have been seismic, if not for Game 4 taking the spotlight the next day. Still, in black and white, the words called into question Hamels' desire to pitch. It got to the point where Hamels went in yesterday to explain himself to Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. And then, with a small crowd of reporters around his locker, Hamels said he would love to start Game 7 against the Yankees if the Phillies get that far.

"I told him I want us to win Game 6 first," Hamels said. And when asked by reporters if he wanted to pitch Game 7, Hamels said:

"Of course. Who wouldn't want the ball in Game 7? That is the ultimate dream . . . I've always wanted it, will always take it dearly, always pitch to my last breath."

Hamels also said: "I went to Charlie just to talk to him, because that's who I am. I think he understands that. I just wanted to tell him my true thoughts and my thought process, that I'll never quit, that I'll never, ever quit. I want to play this game until somebody takes it away from me."

Hamels said he hadn't been able to sleep because of the controversy. When asked by reporters to explain what he really meant to say after Game 3, he did not really succeed. But he obviously felt it was important that he tell Manuel his side of it, and he did.

"I think Charlie knows me," Hamels said. "He's managed me for quite a few years. I think the only doubt it left in peoples' minds was the fans, and that hurts because I love the city of Philadelphia and I play as hard as I possibly can. I might not necessarily have the results that they hope but I know that if I go out there and do everything I possibly can, and in the end, if they see that I've left everything I possibly can out on the field, then I think they can respect that.

"Sometimes I might not say the best things or the smartest things. But I've definitely learned, and I'm learning, and I think I'll be learning for a long time."

Hamels said Manuel did not tell him that he would be the Game 7 starter, if it gets to that point. He said that wasn't what the meeting was about.

"I think he definitely does know who I am," Hamels said. "That was not what I ever intended. It definitely hurt, just for the way it came out. I think I was more shocked because I didn't even know what I said, or put out there, because it was not what I was thinking. It was one of those things where you talk and try to be as honest as possible and connect as much to people, and you say the wrong things, that you didn't really mean.

"I would never be here if I ever quit on anything. And if I was ever too tired to not go through with any decision, I would never be standing here. Ever."