Career Timeline of Cole Hamels: Major Achievements and Milestones

1 hour ago : Sanchez shines with 12 strikeouts as Phillies defeat Giants in high-scoring game.

Cristopher Sanchez pitched masterfully, recording a career-high 12 strikeouts. The Phillies secured a 6-4 victory against the Giants, fueled by a strong first inning. Sanchez channeled Hamels.

2002: Drafted by Phillies

In 2002, Cole Hamels was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the first round (17th overall) of the MLB Draft out of Rancho Bernardo High School.

2003: Professional Career Begins

In 2003, Cole Hamels began his professional baseball career, pitching for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws and later being promoted to the Clearwater Threshers. He received the Paul Owens Award for being the best pitcher in the Phillies' minor league system.

May 2006: MLB Debut

In May 2006, Cole Hamels made his Major League Baseball debut for the Philadelphia Phillies, pitching five scoreless innings against the Cincinnati Reds.

August 14, 2006: Shutout Against Mets

On August 14, 2006, Cole Hamels had his best start of his rookie season, shutting out the New York Mets over eight innings in a 13-0 victory for the Phillies.

2006: Minor League Success and Promotion

In 2006, Cole Hamels started at Clearwater, moved to Reading, and then to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. He was later promoted to the major league club.

April 21, 2007: First Complete Game

On April 21, 2007, Cole Hamels pitched his first major league complete game, allowing one run and striking out a career-high 15 batters.

October 2008: October Legend

In October 2008, Cole Hamels carved his name among the legends after winning four starts in the same postseason for the Phillies.

2008: World Series Champion and MVP

In 2008, Cole Hamels helped the Phillies win the World Series, starting Games 1 and 5. He was named the 2008 World Series MVP, finishing the postseason with a 4-0 record and a 1.80 ERA.

2008: Brief Two-Seam Fastball

Prior to the conception and advent of his cutter, he briefly threw a two-seam fastball around 2008 and 2009, before debuting his cutter in 2010. Once he obtained a "feel" for how to effectively utilize his cutter, it helped him increase his groundball rate (percentage of balls in play that were ground balls), to more than 50 percent in 2011.

2009: Contract Signed

In 2009, Cole Hamels signed a three-year, $20.5 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies and was named the Opening Day starter by manager Charlie Manuel.

2009: The Hamels Foundation Formed

In 2009, the Hamels formed the Hamels Foundation as a non-profit to uplift the lives of children, families, and communities through education, funding childhood programs in Philadelphia and Africa.

2009: Brief Two-Seam Fastball

Prior to the conception and advent of his cutter, he briefly threw a two-seam fastball around 2008 and 2009, before debuting his cutter in 2010. Once he obtained a "feel" for how to effectively utilize his cutter, it helped him increase his groundball rate (percentage of balls in play that were ground balls), to more than 50 percent in 2011.

December 15, 2010: Cliff Lee Returns to Phillies

On December 15, 2010, Cliff Lee rejoined the Philadelphia Phillies, forming a highly regarded starting rotation with Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels, known as the 'Phantastic Phour'.

2010: Season Highlights

In 2010, Cole Hamels had a season with highlights including throwing 6+1⁄3 innings of no-hit baseball on June 7, winning five consecutive starts, and striking out 13 batters on September 13.

2010: Debuted His Cutter

Prior to the conception and advent of his cutter, he briefly threw a two-seam fastball around 2008 and 2009, before debuting his cutter in 2010. Once he obtained a "feel" for how to effectively utilize his cutter, it helped him increase his groundball rate (percentage of balls in play that were ground balls), to more than 50 percent in 2011.

2011: Hamels Finishes Fifth in Cy Young Voting

Cole Hamels concluded the 2011 season with a 14-9 record, 194 strikeouts, a 2.79 ERA, and a 0.986 WHIP. He finished fifth in Cy Young Award voting.

2011: All-Star Selection and Disappointment

In 2011, Cole Hamels was voted onto the National League All-Star team along with teammates Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Plácido Polanco, and Shane Victorino. However, due to having pitched the Sunday before the game, he was ineligible to play, which he expressed his disagreement with.

2011: Phillies Lose in National League Division Series

In 2011, the Phillies finished with the best record in MLB for the second year. Hamels started Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, winning 3-2, but the Phillies lost Games 4 and 5 and were eliminated.

2011: Increased Groundball Rate

Prior to the conception and advent of his cutter, he briefly threw a two-seam fastball around 2008 and 2009, before debuting his cutter in 2010. Once he obtained a "feel" for how to effectively utilize his cutter, it helped him increase his groundball rate (percentage of balls in play that were ground balls), to more than 50 percent in 2011.

July 21, 2012: First Career Home Run

On July 21, 2012, Cole Hamels hit his first career home run off San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain. Cain had homered off Hamels in the top half of the same inning, the first time in MLB since 1990 that two pitchers had hit home runs off of each other in the same inning.

2012: Ready for Spring Training 2012

Following elbow and hernia surgeries in the 2011 off-season, Cole Hamels was ready to pitch by the start of Spring training 2012.

2013: Opening Day Starter and Loss

Before the 2013 season in spring training, manager Charlie Manuel named Cole Hamels the 2013 opening day starter. On April 1 against the Atlanta Braves, Hamels surrendered five earned runs in five innings and took the loss.

2013: Decline in swing generation

In 2013 Cole Hamels was worse at generating swings and misses. His strikeout rate declined by 2.6 percent and his overall swinging strike rate declined by 2.1 percent. Opposing hitters swung at 1,774 pitches during the 2013 season. A 2.1 percent decrease means 37 fewer swings and misses.

July 25, 2015: No-Hitter Against the Cubs

On July 25, 2015, Cole Hamels pitched a no-hitter for the Phillies against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, striking out 13. It was his final start for the Phillies, the first no-hitter against the Cubs since 1965, and first at Wrigley since 1972.

July 31, 2015: Traded to the Texas Rangers

On July 31, 2015, Cole Hamels was traded to the Texas Rangers along with Jake Diekman. Hamels became the first pitcher to be traded during a regular season after pitching a no-hitter in his final start with the team that traded him.

2015: Trade Speculation

At the start of the 2015 season, there was much focus and speculation regarding potential trades involving Cole Hamels. Several teams including the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, and San Francisco Giants expressed interest.

2015: Impact on the Rangers

In 2015 after being traded to the Rangers, Hamels went 7-1 in 12 starts. The Rangers won the AL West due in part to his contribution.

2016: Season Statistics

Cole Hamels finished the 2016 season with a 15-5 record and a 3.32 ERA in 32 starts. He led major league pitchers in percent of balls pulled against him (47.1%).

2016: All-Star Season with Rangers

In 2016, Cole Hamels had an All-Star season while playing for the Texas Rangers.

2016: 2016 Season Highlights

In 2016, Cole Hamels was named the Opening Day starter for the Rangers. On June 12, he recorded his 2,000th career strikeout, and was named to the 2016 MLB All-Star Game. On September 28, he claimed his 200th strikeout of the season.

2017: Donation to Camp Barnabas

In 2017, Cole Hamels and Heidi Strobel donated their 32,000-square-foot Missouri mansion, valued at $10 million, to Camp Barnabas, a Christian charity that runs camps for children with special needs and chronic illnesses.

July 27, 2018: Traded to the Chicago Cubs

On July 27, 2018, Cole Hamels was traded to the Chicago Cubs. He made his first appearance as a Cub on August 1, striking out nine, and earning the win.

2018: 2018 Season Stats

During the 2018 season between the Rangers and the Cubs, Cole Hamels went 9-12 with a 3.78 ERA. He led the major leagues in hit batsmen, with 19, and in giving up the highest percentage of hard-hit balls (41.9%).

2018: Traded to Chicago Cubs

In 2018, Cole Hamels was traded to the Chicago Cubs.

2018: Wild Card Loss

In the Cubs’ 2018 Wild Card loss to the Colorado Rockies, Cole Hamels pitched in relief. He allowed two hits and a walk over two scoreless innings.

December 4, 2019: Signed with the Atlanta Braves

On December 4, 2019, Cole Hamels signed a one-year, $18 million free agent contract with the Atlanta Braves.

2019: 2019 Season Stats

For the 2019 season, Cole Hamels was 7-7 with a 3.81 ERA in 147.2 innings over 27 starts.

2019: Contract Option

On July 24, the six-year, $144 million contract extension that Hamels signed included a vesting option for 2019 worth $24 million. If the option did not vest, it would have turned into a club option for $20 million that included a $6 million buyout.

2020: Only Start of 2020 Season

In 2020, Cole Hamels made only one start, pitching 3+1⁄3 innings and giving up three earned runs against the Baltimore Orioles on September 16.

2020: Season Shut Down

In 2020, Cole Hamels was shut down for the season after pitching only 3+1⁄3 innings for the Atlanta Braves.

August 4, 2021: Signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers

On August 4, 2021, Cole Hamels was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers for $1 million. However, he experienced arm pain and was placed on the 60-day injured list, ending his comeback attempt.

February 16, 2023: Signed Minor League Contract with Padres

On February 16, 2023, Cole Hamels signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres organization as part of another comeback attempt. However, he experienced inflammation in his shoulder and was unable to continue.

August 4, 2023: Retirement Announcement

On August 4, 2023, Cole Hamels announced his retirement from professional baseball.

2023: Retirement Announced

After two unsuccessful comeback attempts, Cole Hamels announced his retirement from professional baseball in 2023.

June 21, 2024: Phillies Retirement Ceremony

On June 21, 2024, the Phillies held a pregame ceremony where Cole Hamels officially retired as a member of the team. Phillies outfielder David Dahl changed his number from #35 to #31 out of respect for Hamels.