Cole Hamels takes the ball for the Phillies in what could be his final start for the team, or perhaps his last start before a big fat contract extension, or maybe neither. Who knows? But it any event, it's probably the last time the home crowd will see him pitch before knowing something else about the left hander's long-term position with the team.
That being said, if my screen name isn't enough indication, I'm a huge Cole Hamels fan and have been since he was toiling in the minor leagues, dominating opponents between weird bouts on the disabled list for all manner of injuries, self-inflicted and otherwise. We all knew he'd be good, but we didn't know he would become the ace-quality starter he is, and would be the postseason hero of the team's second World Series championship squad in 2008.
No matter what happens, Cole: Keep it real.
Appropriately enough, Hamels will be facing Matt Cain, the Giants starter whose offseason contract extension more or less set the bar for any deal Hamels will receive from the Phillies this year, or this coming winter from another team. The least he could do is shake his hand and say thanks.
And no matter what happens, I won't be able to watch; thanks to the idiotic MLB and FOX blackout rules, I won't be able to watch my favorite player in possibly his final game with my favorite team. In 2008, I was unable to watch the Phillies clinch the NL East on that brilliant double play from Jimmy Rollins for similar reasons. Thanks, jerks.
Discuss the game below.
