Cole Hamels is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on December 27, 1983, in San Diego, California, and attended Rancho Bernardo High School. Hamels was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the first round of the 2002 MLB draft and made his debut with the team in 2006.
During his time with the Phillies, Hamels was a key member of the team's starting rotation and helped lead them to a World Series championship in 2008. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the World Series after going 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in two starts against the Tampa Bay Rays. Hamels was also named to three All-Star teams during his time with the Phillies.
In 2015, Hamels was traded to the Texas Rangers, where he continued to be a reliable starting pitcher. He was named the American League Pitcher of the Month in April 2016 after going 3-0 with a 2.52 ERA in five starts. Hamels was also named to the All-Star team in 2016 and 2018.
In 2018, Hamels was traded to the Chicago Cubs, where he helped the team win the National League Central division title. He was named the National League Pitcher of the Month in August 2018 after going 4-0 with a 1.00 ERA in five starts. Hamels also pitched in the 2018 National League Wild Card Game, where he gave up just one run in four innings of work.
Hamels became a free agent after the 2019 season and signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves for the 2020 season. However, his time with the Braves was limited due to injuries and the shortened season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hamels made just one start for the Braves, giving up three runs in 3.1 innings of work.
Overall, Hamels had a successful career as a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. He finished his career with a record of 163-122 and a 3.43 ERA. Hamels was known for his ability to pitch in big games and was a key member of several playoff teams throughout his career.
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