BlueClaws Retire #19 For Cole Hamels

LAKEWOOD, NJ - The BlueClaws retired the #19 worn by Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels when he was with the BlueClaws in 2003 during a ceremony before their June 9th game at FirstEnergy Park. 

Hamels becomes the second BlueClaw to have his number retired by the team, following Ryan Howard, a 2002 BlueClaw who had his #29 was retired in 2010 (#42 for Jackie Robinson is retired across baseball and #50, for former South Atlantic League President John Henry Moss, is retired across the South Atlantic League). 

Hamels went 6-1 with a 0.84 ERA with the BlueClaws in 2003, striking out 115 in 74.1 innings pitched and he threw 25 consecutive scoreless innings in his last four starts before a promotion to Clearwater.

"It's a special moment. This is where my career started," said Hamels during a pre-game press conference. "It's been a great ride. These are the memories I think I'll almost remember more than some of the memories in the Major Leagues because this was the sort of start of my journey in playing baseball."

He was drafted in the first round of the 2002 draft and made his professional debut with the BlueClaws in 2003. 

The BlueClaws presented Hamels, who was joined by his wife Heidi and two sons, Caleb and Braxton, with four gifts: 

• A framed #19 BlueClaws jersey (the uniform worn by the team in 2003).
• A donation of $1,919.19 to The Hamels Foundation, his charity that aids in education both in the United States and Africa. 
• A surfing-themed painting from Jersey Shore artist Jay Albers entitled Belmar Barrel Role. 
• A 5-pound custom Hershey's chocolate bar from Hershey's, Monday's game sponsor. 

To see a photo gallery from the ceremony, please click here.

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore's top stop for affordable, family entertainment. They have led the league in attendance in all 13 years of existence. 

For tickets to any remaining BlueClaws game, call 732-901-7000 option 2 or click here.

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