Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Retirement of former World Series MVP marks the end of an era

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 8/4/23

After several failed comeback attempts, 15-year veteran starting pitcher Cole Hamels called it a career on Friday, marking the end of an era.

As Hamels leaves the game, the book on the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies officially closes. Hamels, who earned World Series MVP honors that season, was the last remaining active player from the squad, featuring franchise greats Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.

Phillies 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels is officially retiring

That means all members of that 08 World Series team are retired pic.twitter.com/RT7g0jDe8H
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) August 4, 2023

Selected 17th overall in the 2002 MLB Draft, Hamels debuted in 2006 with Philadelphia, where he would spend most of his career. In parts of 10 seasons with the Phillies, Hamels posted stats that are still among the best in the franchise's history, ranking third in strikeouts (1,844) and sixth in wins (114) all time.

Aside from helping the Phillies win a title, Hamels was part of several memorable moments. Fittingly, in his final start for the team before being traded to the Texas Rangers in 2015, Hamels tossed the franchise's 23rd no-hitter, dazzling the Cubs with 13 strikeouts in a 5-0 victory.

#OTD in 2015, Cole Hamels threw his first career no-hitter as a member of the #Phillies. It was the first time the #Cubs were no-hit since 1965, longest streak without getting no-hit (7,920 games) in @MLB history. #BeBold pic.twitter.com/riq58vcClM
— Stadium (@Stadium) July 25, 2018

Hamels would pitch six more seasons following the trade, going 49-32 for the Rangers, Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves while making an All-Star appearance in 2016.

Making his last start in 2020, Hamels had been eyeing a comeback to the mound, making attempts in 2021 and 2022. However, in February, Hamels tried again, inking a minor-league deal with his hometown San Diego Padres but never returned to the majors. Hamels' agent, John Boggs, revealed what ultimately led to Hamels' decision to retire, telling The Athletic's Dennis Lin that Hamels was having trouble "throwing without pain" and was dealing with inflammation in his surgically repaired shoulder.

Hamels was once on a Hall of Fame trajectory, but his career falls squarely within the Hall of "very good." A four-time All-Star and World Series Champion, Hamels hangs up his cleats as one of only 39 pitchers in baseball history to top over 2,500 strikeouts.

More must-reads: