After the game, Hamels, the MVP of the 2008 World Series, revealed that intentional “plunking” was his “old-school way” of officially welcoming the 19-year-old phenom to the big leagues.
“I was trying to hit him,” the two-time All-Star lefty said Sunday night . “I’m not going to deny it. I’m not trying to injure the guy. They’re probably not going to like me for it, but I’m not going to say I wasn’t trying to do it. I think they understood the message, and they threw it right back. That’s the way, and I respect it.”
Hamels added:
“That’s something I grew up watching, that’s kind of what happened. So I’m just trying to continue the old baseball because I think some people are kind of getting away from it. I remember when I was a rookie the strike zone was really, really small and you didn’t say anything because that’s the way baseball is. But I think unfortunately the league’s protecting certain players and making it not that old-school, prestigious way of baseball”
Unless appealed, Hamels was scheduled to begin serving his suspension later tonight when the Phillies host the New York Mets.
In addition to the 5-game hiatus, ESPN reports the infraction will also cost the hard-throwing lefty an undisclosed amount of cash.
MLB insider Tim shares his thoughts on Cole Hamels’ suspension and the affect it will have on the Phillies in the video below:
via ESPN
