Former Phillies ace Cole Hamels is making a transition from the mound to the broadcast booth, set to join NBC Sports Philadelphia for select games this season. The move allows the 2008 World Series MVP to remain connected to the game he played for 15 years, primarily with the Phillies. Hamels threw his last major league pitch as a member of the Atlanta Braves in 2020 and officially retired in 2024.
Hamels is scheduled to make his regular-season debut Sunday afternoon during the Phillies' game against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. He joins a roster of former Phillies players turned analysts, including John Kruk, Larry Andersen, and Jimmy Rollins. Known as “Hollywood” during his playing days, Hamels told The Inquirer that trying new challenges is important, even when they are unfamiliar.
He plans to call roughly one game per month, stepping in for Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt on Sundays when Schmidt has other commitments. Hamels will work in a three-person booth alongside veteran play-by-play announcer Tom McCarthy and other experienced commentators like Ben Davis and Ruben Amaro Jr.
Hamels and Amaro share a history; Amaro was the team's assistant general manager when the Phillies drafted Hamels in the first round of the 2002 MLB draft. Amaro later traded Hamels to the Texas Rangers in 2015 during a team rebuild. Hamels joked about the trade, noting it allowed him to pitch in the postseason for two more years, providing an opportunity he wanted.
This will not be Hamels' first time behind the microphone. He called two spring training games with McCarthy earlier in the year. He acknowledged those games, particularly one featuring many prospects, were a learning experience, requiring quick searches for information about players just drafted.
McCarthy praised Hamels' preparation and improvement during his spring appearances. He noted Hamels brought valuable topics and quickly adapted to the rhythm of broadcasting, including handling replays and listening to producers.
Hamels also continues serving as a special adviser for the Phillies. This role keeps him around the team, sometimes in the dugout mentoring pitchers, which he believes will provide insights for his commentary. He hopes this proximity will help him convey a better feel for the game's action to fans watching at home.
Adapting to broadcasting involves learning aspects like microphone projection and dealing with dead air. Hamels also faces adjusting to rules like the pitch clock, which was not in place during most of his career. He aims to avoid pitfalls encountered by others transitioning to the booth, like using language common in the clubhouse but unsuitable for live television.
The Phillies have seen strong pitching performances recently, highlighted by Cristopher Sánchez's outing where his changeup was particularly effective. Sánchez struck out 12 batters, the most by a Phillies left-hander since Cole Hamels struck out 13 in his final start for the team in 2015.
McCarthy expressed excitement about having a 2008 World Series champion like Cole Hamels in the booth, anticipating the perspective he will bring, especially as someone who played recently and remains around the team as a special adviser.
