Comments on: Year In Review: Cole Hamels

By: Brian Sr. of CO

Brian Sr. of CO — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:18:50 +0000

nope sorry WFC010, I am one of the “bashers” but I think I am just calling it like it is, but I also type his name correctly…”Cole Hamels”. However unlike some other “bashers” I dont forget what he did in the ’08 postseason, but that was 08, and I based my “bashing” on 09 alone.

By: WFC010

WFC010 — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 03:21:15 +0000

Am I the only one who noticed that most Cole Hamels bashers are usually the guys who can’t even spell his last name right?

I see another person spelling it “Hammels” or “Hammells” or whatever, and i’m going to scream!

By: Don M

Don M — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:30:07 +0000

juding by most of these comments, you would think Cole Hamels is terrible at baseball ….

more than a hit per inning… WALKS plus HITS per INNINGS PITCHED = WHIP

there was exactly 40 pitchers in baseball with a better WHIP

only 7 of them were better than 1.10
another 10 that were better than 1.20
the rest,
including: Johan Santana, JA Happ, Jon Lester, Cliff Lee, Wandy Rodriguez, Roy Oswalt, John Lackey, etc. . were between 1.20 and 1.30

so Hamels 1.29 means that we was among the better pitchers in baseball, One hit per inning or not

Any pitcher with an ERA under 3.00 is amazing
under a 3.50 ERA is GREAT
under a 4.00 is Good
and under a 4.50 is average

so Hamels posted a 4.32 … which is higher than you want, but doesn’t mean he sucks

A “bad” year by Hamels after he gave us more than we could ever imagine in 2008 ….. I’ll take it.. Thanks Cole … that parade was awesome!!

By: gfd

gfd — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:17:20 +0000

Cole will never get a CY ever! He really isn’t a true # 2, but after Halladay is take your pick! Then pen isn’t reliable and Lidge is streaky.

By: mikemike

mikemike — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 01:25:03 +0000

how can y say peripherals werent bad 14 quality start out of 32 and more than a hit per inning given up. 4.32 era in a non d.h. league that stinks

By: derekcarstairs

derekcarstairs — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 01:19:15 +0000

Hamels was not a one-year wonder in 2008. He has always been a dominant pitcher, and he should return to form in 2010. 2009 was an aberration, but, even in 2009, Hamels’ peripherals were not bad.

The one thing I don’t like about Hamels is that he talks too much and makes foolish comments. I guess it should be expected that young guys will say dumb things, but he needs to learn to zip it up.

I don’t think Hamels is a bad kid; he just tries to speak honestly, but the words don’t come out right.

By: mikemike

mikemike — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 23:13:12 +0000

NOT a bad year/ average more than one hit per inning pitched. almost 4.5 runs per game. 32 start 14 quality starts . these stats stink for any pitcher so don what where you looking at. sorry 4.32 runs in a non DHleague stinks for a pitcher unless your moyer a bad number 5 pitcher who is 46.and the team is stuck with .

By: JJFritz

JJFritz — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:13:37 +0000

I agree. I will admit that I have had mixed feelings this off-season — as I do every off-season. But, I guess that tyI have to admit that Ruben has, so far, done everything he has set out to do this off-season. All he has to do now is continue what he’s doing and finish what he started. We are already a better team with the additions of Halladay, Polanco and Gload. Once the bullpen and back end of the rotation is done, we will be set for the year. Keep up the good work, Ruben. I do have faith that this year the Phillies will make history by 3-peating as the NL Champs and return once again to the World Series. Kudos.

By: roger matherson

roger matherson — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:38:31 +0000

I am a big time phillies fan. love watching them play the game the right way. we are very lucky to have guys that play with heart and as a team. just look at the mets club. i have read many people killing this club for letting mr. lee be traded for seattle. hearing things like we are cheap, jr. is being stupid, etc. our payroll has gone up by a huge stretch in the past few seasons. most players never wanted to come and play for this club. see what winning does. we just got the best right handed pitcher in the past 10 season on our team for a bargin rate compared to what these guys are getting today. then everyone complains about not keeping lee. who cares. lee is not in now way doc. lee was sent down to the minors and written off. yes he pitched great for us in the post season. he also did get spanked against the brewers, braves, astos, and washington. his fastball does get hit hard. we will see what he does next season. hamels will be back strong this season. he will have a point to prove. yes moyer was a mistake but jr. signed our main guys, brought us an upgrade at third. we should be excited for the future of this team. do you all agree?

By: Manny

Manny — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:19:40 +0000

The only thing that worried me about Cliff Lee for 2010 was his innings count in ’09… but now that he’s gone, there’s nothing to worry about I guess. Hamels, with a good offseason, should be back to pitching like an ace… I have tons of faith in this guy.

By: Amanda Orr

Amanda Orr — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:42:47 +0000

5 was established as “average.” And that’s basically what Hamels was. I gave him a 5.5 because I gave Chad Durbin, who was also average, a five as well. Hamels was better than Durbin, and Hamels was slightly above average, so that is why I gave him a 5.5.

I did not factor in 2008 at all. If I did, it would probably be much lower because Hamels was bad for being Hamels.. if that makes sense.

By: Shag beta sigma delta

Shag beta sigma delta — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:40:38 +0000

Thank you Keystone for stealing my thunder. I was going to point out that even the second coming of Steve Carlton, Cliff Lee, went downt to the minors cause he was so bad a few years ago. Cole did have signs of dominating some teams this year, but I too think he too easily lost focus. But in 08 he did not have that problem, Yes I know we are talking about 09, but I think it proves that he does have it in him to be mentatlly tough. I think ’10 will be a huge year for Cole.
I do think a 5.5 is about right for Cole in 09, because he was mostly average, with signs of dominance. And to those who think 9 million for Lee was a steal, Cole is going to show you that 7 million a year for him is going to be grand larsony.

By: Keystone

Keystone — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:17:01 +0000

Just something interesting to look at for those that have suggested keeping Lee and shipping Hamels…forget about Lee’s first 2 years where he had 2 starts in ’02 and 9 starts in ’03 and compare his first 4 full years to Hamels first 4 full years.
Lee:
’04: 33 starts 0 CG 179.0 inn 5.43 ERA
’05: 32 starts 1 CG 202.0 inn 3.79 ERA
’06: 33 starts 1 CG 200.2 inn 4.40 ERA
’07: 16 starts 1 CG 97.1 inn 6.29 ERA

Hamels:
’06: 23 starts 0 CG 132.1 inn 4.08 ERA
’07: 28 starts 2 CG 183.1 inn 3.39 ERA
’08: 33 starts 2 CG 227.1 inn 3.09 ERA
’09: 32 starts 2 CG 193.2 inn 4.32 ERA

Keep in mind that Cliff Lee’s 4th full season was so bad that he was sent back to the minors.

By: George

George — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:46:23 +0000

I don’t believe this rating was based at all on 2008. You can’t rate Hamels on what he SHOULD have done, because no one knows that.

It was explained early on that a “5″ rating is average. At 5.5, Hamels comes out barely above average, and that seems about right. A 4.32 ERA is not good, but not horrible, either. The entire Brewers starting staff had higher ERAs, and Derek Lowe posted a 4.67, yet won 15 games. Clff Lee, out recently traded god, had an ERA just a little under 4 for the season, although his Philadelpia numbers were better. And yes, 4.94 is below average, whereas 4.32 isn’t. That’s a difference of more than half a run per game, and that’s a lot.

I also don’t believe Hamels’ troubles can be attributed entirely to “the league catching up to him.” If that were true, it would have happened sooner; probably in 2008. There’s no doubt that a better third pitch would help, but if he still can’t locate his fastball, it won’t help much.

2009 was not a good year for Hamels, and the frustrations of it would have been difficult for even a long-time veteran. One can have that “killer instinct” in spades–which a person who came back from a broken pitching arm probably does–but if one’s ammunition constantly misfires, he’s still not going to win, and he’s going to show his anger about it, sometimes inappropriately.

By: Brian Sr. of CO

Brian Sr. of CO — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 08:27:25 +0000

Ive seen 5.5 out of 10, and 3 out of 10. I think it really should have been down the middle. Closer to 4.5 out of 10. Remember people, we are rating the 2009 season, NOT the 2008. Sure we all know in 2008 ESPECIALLY including the playoffs, he would have been between 8 and 9, but call it like it is. The problem I see is honestly is comments like “if it wasnt for hamels you would not have gotten to celebrate the first time”. Sure he was AWESOME is 08, but we are talking about 09. I dont quite agree that 4.32 is ABOVE average. I can see 4.32 being average maybe, but how can 4.32 be ABOVE average, and only a few points higher of 4.94 is BELOW average or horrible? Like it or not, Hamels was not good as an ace in 09, again before people take it personally (not sure how some people are flipping out so bad about this), sure he was awesome in 08, but we are talking about 09. Regardless of how good Hamels was in the postseason of 08, should we really compare him to Steve Carlton? IF he can clear his mind, and work out during the offseason, HOPEFULLY he can be a solid #2, but seeing how his wife just had a baby, it is even that much more difficult with a new baby at home to do that. Believe me, I have a 2 month old at home, and it is difficult. Dont confuse people who are honestly calling it like it is and say he was NOT good in 09 as “throwing him under the bus” and not willing to give him another chance. Just because some of us are willing to say he was NOT good in 09 (truth) doesnt mean we dont think he has the skill to do it again. He has the skill, he needs to work on his mental toughness. I think thats his biggest problem, and some of his numbers really point to that.He will have a really good game going, give up a double maybe, then all of a sudden WHAT OUT. 1 double, he gets flustered, it leads to single, walks and homers. IF he buckly down again and not let those things affect him so much, he would be MUCH better. I am saying he was NOT good in 09, basing that on the fact that he was supposed to be out ACE. His numbers overall were comparable to our #4 starter, not much better then the original #5. I for one give him a clean slate in 2010 when we start off again, just as I was able to do in 09, which I think most still cannot do. Give him a CLEAN slate TOTAL. See how he does in 2010 to base your rating of his 2010 season on his 2010 season NOT on his 08 season. To many people are overly kind at times because of how great he was in 08. IF Hamels was not supposed to be our Ace, I could see 5.5-6.5, but since he was supposed to be our ace, and supposed to be the consistent best chance of winning pitcher, I would put him at 4.5. Maybe it was injury, maybe it was his workout regimen, regardless of whatever it was, call it like it is. Brad Lidge is a GREAT example. Should we give Lidge a 5 or 6 because he was AWESOME and probably about a 9.5 or 10 in 08, or should we call it like it is and say with injuries and maybe other things he deserves about a 3.5ish? Not of course not, base the rating on thast season, not others.

By: JJFritz

JJFritz — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 06:53:49 +0000

Well, well, well… It seems like there are lovers and haters here. Love Cole when he’s dominating, hate him when he has a mishap. As a Phillies phan since God knows when, I guess we really are the toughest fans ever. Sorry for the cracks on all the wanna-be Yankee fans for calling them all ‘Front-runners’… It seems like that’s all we seem to be right now. So Cole struggled… So what?! He isn’t God, you know. He isn’t perfect! Even Pedro Martinez struggled over the years. But he had a good year for us last year, and some people even talk about him as the last piece to the rotation puzzle for this year. Do you really think he can continue to perform the way he did last year? As good as he was for the 2nd half of the year, would he be able to do it for the whole year? Probably not. He struggled at the end of the year and in the post-season. But, is anyone blaming the season on him? Saying that if he would have pitched better, then our dreams of repeating would have been fulfilled? No, of course not. You can’t expect a former Cy Young winner, young or old, to duplicate what he did in his best year every year after the fact. We will never see the Pedro of old, but everyone is still willing to accept him for who he is. Yes, he is good. No doubt about it. But, he will never be the Pedro of old. Yes, Cole is young and has already won a World Series. But, he’s not the Cy Young caliber pitcher that dominates everyone like Pedro, Clemens, Halladay, or even Lee did in their primes. They too were young at once. It took them years and years of refining and mistakes and recalculating their own efforts to bring them to the quality pitchers that they are today. If we look back at those pitchers, I guarantee you that there are years when they struggled just as Cole has. In those years of struggling, did anyone want to turn their backs on them? Or did they have faith that they could turn themselves around and rebound? I’m sure there were mixed feelings as well. If anything, it was a mistake to throw him to the wolves and expect a repeat of ’08. We need to let Cole work things out with himself and his coaching staff. That is their job after all. He will bounce back. He’s still young and has plenty of time to reach his full potential. I do agree — another pitch to go with the fastball and curve will make those 10 times as effective. So, I implore you true Phillies Phans — please ease up. Give him time to recoup from a rough year and get himself back on track. After all, he started the year off hurt last year, then had to take the full weight of the load because Myers was hurt. It was too much for someone who wasn’t 100 per cent. Give him time. I think we will see what he is capable of doing, and you guys who are ready to throw him under the bus right now will be praising him and thanking God almighty that he’s able to do what he is.

By: PhilsWin

PhilsWin — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 06:06:39 +0000

IT’S HAMELS! ONE FREAK’N M! I swear some of these people commenting both started following the Phils after 2008 AND cannot read either.

By: WFC010

WFC010 — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 04:53:27 +0000

Cole Hamels is simply too good of a pitcher to not come back from this. Like many fans, I was upset at Cole for blowing it in the World Series, but I can bet YOU ALL that nobody was more upset by it than Cole himself. And what does somebody do when they are upset with themselves? They try to look at where they went wrong, and devote the time to fixing it. For Cole, I think developing a good third pitch would work wonders. Also he needs to regain his focus, and not lose his cool when something goes wrong.

By: joedad

joedad — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 03:49:17 +0000

Cliff Lee with be the 2009 version of Cole Hamels. Cole Hamels will be the 2009 version of Cliff Lee.

By: James Kay

James Kay — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 03:44:29 +0000

Hammels has degenerated to a predictable very slightly above average pitcher. He lacks the killer instinct of a dominant pitcher who turns it up after finding himself in trouble, and his lollipop curve is a pitch even I could hit for double in the gap. After Cliff Lee joined the Phillies, Hammels began to show some of his psychological instability with his many inane attitude comments. I think the National League hitters have figured out how to consistently beat Hammels. Do you recall the monster homer Manny Ramirez hit off him in the NLCS? Too bad Amaro could not work some magic by keeping Cliff Lee for another year while unloading Hammels. However, Cole’s commericals are fantastic. He really has a great persona and physical appearance for acting.