Honorary Cole Hamels Series Leading to Number Retirement

Two giveaways prior to his appearance on June 9th to have jersey number retired

May 9, 2014

LAKEWOOD, NJ - The BlueClaws will honor their greatest pitcher, Cole Hamels, a 2003 BlueClaw, over the next several weeks with two great giveaways leading into an appearance on June 9th at which Hamels will have his number 19 retired by the team.

Hamels, who was drafted 17th overall by the Phillies in 2002, made his professional debut with the BlueClaws in 2003. With Lakewood, the southpaw went 6-1 over 13 starts, pitching to a 0.84 ERA (seven earned runs in 74.2 innings pitched), adding 115 strikeouts against 25 walks. (Hamels also made a rehab appearance at FirstEnergy Park on June 1st, 2006, allowing a run in 5.2 innings.)

On Monday, May 19th, the first 2,000 fans will receive a Cole Hamels Puzzle thanks to Jersey Central Power and Light (first pitch is at 6:35).

On Monday, June 2nd, the first 2,000 fans will receive a Cole Hamels Pitcher Pitcher thanks to Investors Bank (first pitch is at 7:05).

Then on Monday, June 9th, Hamels returns to FirstEnergy Park and will have his #19, which he wore with the BlueClaws in 2003, retired by the team.

Hamels is the second former player to have his number retired by the BlueClaws, after Ryan Howard's #29 was retired by the team during a Howard rehab appearance in 2010. (Additionally, Jackie Robinson's #42 is retired across baseball, and in honor of long-time South Atlantic League/Western Carolinas League President John Henry Moss, #50 is also retired by all SAL clubs.)

Ticket Information: Tickets for these games are currently on sale by calling 732-901-7000 option 2 or online by clicking here.

Hamels was an integral part of the Phillies winning their 2nd World Series title in 2008. After going 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA over five playoff starts, Hamels was named MVP of both the National League Championship Series win over Los Angeles and the World Series win over Tampa Bay.

Hamels and his wife, Heidi, started The Hamels Foundation in 2008 to support education both locally and in Africa. Additional information can be found at the foundation's website: TheHamelsFoundation.org.

- BlueClaws -