Because last night's game here in Milwaukee ended so late, I filed an early feature on Cole Hamels for the first-edition newspapers. But, most readers who live in and around Wilmington only receive our second and third editions.
So, here's a story on Cole Hamels that may not have been in your morning paper.
By SCOTT LAUBER
The News Journal
MILWAUKEE – Even on the days he doesn’t pitch, Cole Hamels learns valuable lessons about life in the big leagues.
Lessons like where to stand in the dugout.
Last Saturday night in Cincinnati, during the ninth inning of a 2-0 Phillies victory, Hamels unknowingly stood in front of hitting coach Milt Thompson, who was already in a foul mood since the Phillies mustered only six hits.
“He grabbed my arm and yanked me over,” said Hamels, who makes his second major-league start here today against the upstart Milwaukee Brewers. “From now on, I’m going to stay as far as possible from him.
“I’m not used to being in the dugout when I’m not pitch. [In the minors], I’d be in the stands charting pitches or something.”
There have been others lessons, too.
Throughout the seven-day road trip to Cincinnati and Milwaukee, Hamels hasn’t had to carry his luggage. That’s taken care of in the majors. On planes, he’s required to wear a suit, and in games, the mound is better manicured and umpires often give pitchers new baseballs.
That’s also part of major-league etiquette.
Before the Phillies opened a three-game series here Tuesday, Hamels went to the top step of the dugout and surveyed Miller Park and its retractable roof.
“You say you’re going to do the same things that you’ve done as you’ve come up through the minors, but there are certain rules you have to follow up here,” Hamels said. “It’s a little different.”
So are the hitters.
Hamels, the Phillies’ prized 22-year-old left-hander, threw five scoreless innings and got a no-decision last Friday night against the Reds. But, after walking one batter in 23 innings for Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he issued five walks and threw 92 pitches, just 51 for strikes.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel attributed the wildness to nerves, and Hamels admitted he was anxious for his first major-league start.
But Hamels also said he noticed many of the Reds hitters were less likely to chase curveballs and changeups out of the strike zone. Such discipline isn’t as common in the minors.
Now that some of the hype has dissipated from Hamels’ heralded promotion – he held a press conference on his first day in Philadelphia – he’s hoping to settle into a more normal between-starts routine.
After today, his next scheduled start is Wednesday night at Shea Stadium against the first-place New York Mets. Hamels isn’t slated to start at Citizens Bank Park until May 29 against the Washington Nationals.
“Hopefully now, I can on a schedule and get into a good routine,” Hamels said. “I think things were kind of crazy last week. It’s been nice having five days of rest and doing everything possible to get ready for the next start.”
Contact Scott Lauber at slauber@delawareonline.com.
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6 comments:
I hope the expectations for Cole are not so high that he gets down on himself. His next start is Shea - a pitcher's park, and I expect him to have a good game if the team can score some runs for him. Regardless of his dominence over batters in the minors, I hope he knows that, for the most part, his team can field behind him, but he's got to consistantly throw strikes.
The expectations on Hamels are enormous, but that's inevitable when a player has so much success in the minors. More than once when I covered the Mets' farm system, players would tell me how they don't envy the so-called "can't-miss" prospects because of the lofty expectations heaped upon them.
That said, I continue to be impressed with how Hamels handles himself. He's extremely mature for his age, and he appears to relish the attention. Mets 3B David Wright used to tell me that his expectations for himself were far greater than outsiders' expectations of him. I think Cole is the same way.
His control has been a concern, but I think Hamels is learning that major league hitters lay off borderline pitches, while minor leaguers are less disciplined. Ultimately, though, I think he'll be fine. He can be as good, if not better, than Scott Kazmir, and look what he's doing in Tampa Bay.
Thanks for the note!
I agree with Scott, I think Hamels will be fine. The thing that most impressed me about his control problems on Thursday was that he was missing in the same spot - low. He wasn't all over the plate. That tells me it's a matter of a mechanical tweak, especially when he's pitching out of the stretch.
Hey Jason, if Mike Torrez had those same control problems, Bucky Dent wouldn't be haunting him to this day. And if Calvin Schiraldi had those same control problems, Bill Buckner wouldn't be the scourge of New England.
Just thought I'd bring that up, Mr. Red Sox fan. Not to rub salt in the wound or anything like that. Not that you care since the Sox have their only World Series victory that you'll experience in your lifetime.
Martin, how long have you been waiting to trot out that standard? I never trusted Torrez (he was a Yankee first after all) and get it right Mr. Michigan education - Bob Stanley was the main culprit in 86.
Oh, that's right, Schiraldi had already choked earlier in that inning _ I think the term "deer in headlights" applies in this case. Actually, I like trotting out that standard every time I get the opportunity.
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