• March 28, 2024

Cole Hamels Made A Mistake, It’s As Simple As That

So far in 2012, Phillies ace Cole Hamels has continued to dominate from the mound in much the same that he has done since he first put on the Phillies uniform.  I say that because it’s by far the most important aspect of what I have to say about him.

Now concerning him plucking Washington Nationals rookie Bryce Harper in the back, then admitting to it after the game.  That was a mistake.

“I was trying to hit him. I’m not going to deny it. It’s something I grew up watching. That’s what happened. I’m just trying to continue the old baseball. 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. That’s the way baseball is. Sometimes the league is protecting certain players. It’s that old-school prestigious way of baseball.”

In fact it was flat out foolish to admit that he hit rookie Harper intentionally.  He didn’t need to lie about it either.  All he had to do was keep his mouth shut and not say anything.

Both GM Ruben Amaro Jr. and Phillies manager Charlie Manuel couldn’t even defend him when they were asked about it.

“If what he said is true, I’m kind of disappointed,” Amaro said. “One, in the fact that it happened, but, two, more importantly, that he made those comments. That’s a little disappointing. Obviously, that’s not what we’re about. We’re not about trying to injure people, if that’s what people are thinking out there.

“Things that happen in the game happen in the game. That’s part of the game. But as far as how the Phillies want to conduct themselves, we like to try to take the high road on things like this. By no means are we condoning trying to be injurious.”

“He could have been a little bit more discreet about it, or a little less honest,” Manuel said.

Of course Nationals GM MIke Rizzo had something to say about Hamels and this incident.

“Cole Hamels says he’s old-school,” Rizzo said. “He’s the polar opposite of old-school. He’s fake tough. He thinks he’s going to intimidate us after hitting our 19-year-old rookie who’s eight games into the big leagues? He doesn’t know who he’s dealing with.”

According to numerous reports, Rizzo has been disciplined by the MLB for those comments and rightfully so.

GCOBB

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paulman
paulman
May 8, 2012 6:09 pm

GM Amaro and the Ownership now have their Excuse to trade HAmels..
They cannot or simply choose not to pay another Starting Pitcher in the $22-$25 Million per Year Salary Range that it will require to retain Hamels after this Season.. With the ongoing Distracations of his Contract Deal and now this latest fiasco of addmitting at throwing at a Player, He will be Traded …
My Paulman Guess is that he gets Traded to Anaheim Angels for 1B Albert Pujols who has been a complete disaster in the AL .. Phils then Trade 1B Ryan Howard after teh Season to the Chicxago Cubs for minor league players

Frank22
Frank22
May 8, 2012 6:30 pm

Gary, your last article says he didn’t do anything wrong.. This says he made a mistake… Not sure where you are going?

Maybe you are in the middle on this like myself. I do not think it was a big deal but it wasn’t necessary…

Do you think they trade Cliff Lee again and sign Hamels?

jbeeeee
jbeeeee
May 8, 2012 7:21 pm

Frank the last article was written by someone else. not gcobb.

Frank22
Frank22
May 8, 2012 8:22 pm

Didn’t notice JB.. Thanks

BuddysRyan
BuddysRyan
May 8, 2012 10:20 pm

I can’t believe this has become such a major issue, big enough for some fans to want Hamels traded ??? Seriously ? I agree Hamels shouldn’t have opened his mouth and admitted to anything. A little smirk to the camera and a “it just got away from me” comment would have sent the message. What Hamels did was, send a message to the Nationals, send a message to his team, and show the fans he does belong in Philly. As for a trade, Cliff Lee makes the most sense, I love the guy, but he just makes the most sense. If Hamels isn’t a Phillie for life, there will be alot of disappointed fans, including me.

DCar
DCar
May 9, 2012 3:05 am

Enough already with this crap. He was stupid for the entire thing. END OF STORY. This entire thing has been blown WAY out of proportion. It’s getting nauseating now. Between the asinine media attention, Amaro’s comments & the was Rizzo carried on, is a bigger disgrace than what actually happened. Cole hit the man for NO reason, then STUPIDLY admitted to doing it on purpose, & then got a bogus suspension from the league. So apparently the league thinks it’s less of a big deal than everyone else does. END IT ALREADY. JEESH!!!
BTW, if they don’t make a turnaround, Blanton & Lee will go. Hamels isn’t going anywhere. If they let him go, they better be prepared for mediocrity for the next 5-10 years, because Halladay & Lee are aging/ declining.