CLEARWATER, Fla. — A year removed from retirement, Phillies legend Cole Hamels is everywhere.
From pitchers and catchers to in-season visits to the minor league affiliates, Hamels is going to once again become a familiar face to people in the organization.
Fans will get a chance to enjoy his presence in a different role. He is scheduled to become a part-time member of the Phillies television crew as a color analyst. So far, Hamels expects to work one home broadcast a month for NBC Sports Philadelphia for the duration of the season. It fits in well with his role as a special advisor to baseball operations.
He is looking forward to learning from play-by-play man Tom McCarthy. The former Phillies pitcher is also a friend of Mike Schmidt and admires how he has become a staple in the Phillies booth as a Sunday announcer.
It’s all part of Hamels’ first full year away from his playing days.
“I would like to take that opportunity, and see if that works,” Hamels said Tuesday. “Philly, it’s just been such a great organization and great city. So it’s something that I think if I can try something new out and see if it works out.”
“Hollywood” Hamels wasn’t always a talker during his 10 years with the Phillies from 2006 to 2015. Broadcasting was never on Hamels’ radar during his playing days, but things just have a funny way of working out.
“In the beginning, I didn’t talk a lot,” Hamels said. “Now I probably talk a lot more so now I gotta find that middle ground.”
His career speaks for itself. He will one day be inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame. He may have an outside chance of making the Baseball Hall of Fame. We’ll find out more about how his candidacy is viewed next year, when he is scheduled to appear on the BBWAA ballot for the first time.
For now, Hamels is focused on making an impression on the next generation. On the diamond, he is lending a hand to young pitchers coming through the Phillies farm system. On television, he’ll have a chance to connect with the younger members of the Phillies fan base that may not have had the pleasure of watching him pitch in red pinstripes.
“I’ve learned through a lot of advice, through veterans, is when you get out of the game, you can’t stay away too long,” Hamels said. “Things are fast. They’re speeding up. It’s a quick paced game, and if you’re not around to understand it, you’re gonna lose out, and you’re never gonna have the opportunity to kind of get back in.”
