Cole Hamels #19 To Be Retired By BlueClaws on June 9th

LAKEWOOD, NJ - The BlueClaws will retire the #19 worn by 2003 BlueClaw Cole Hamels at their game on Monday, June 9th. 

The game begins at 7:05 pm and the pre-game ceremony, with Hamels present, will begin at 6:45 pm. Gates open at 6:00 pm (5:30 for season ticket holders). 

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.)

He 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 -