Shore Sports Zone talks with Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels about return to the Jersey Shore

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels returned to his Low-A baseball home to have his number 19 retired by the Lakewood BlueClaws.  Hamels joins Phillies teammate Ryan Howard as the only two jerseys retired by the Phillies minor league affiliate.  Rain came down throughout the pre-game ceremony, but it didn’t put a damper on the festivities as the left hander watched under an umbrella with his wife and two young children as the BlueClaws presented him with a number of gifts.

Hamels was presented with a five pound customized Hershey’s chocolate bar with his name as well as a print of a surfing painting.  In addition, he received his #19 BlueClaws jersey and a donation by the ball club of $1919.19 to the Hamels Foundation, which helps donate money towards the education of children.  The BlueClaws previously had Howard’s #29 on a panel in left center field, but erected a larger sign in the bushes in centerfield to join Hamels.

Hamels was 6-1 with a 0.84 ERA in 2003 with Lakewood and went on to make his major league debut in 2006.  The three time MLB All-Star is the 2008 NLCS and World Series MVP.  He is 2-3 this season, picking up his second win of 2014 in his last start, a 7 inning shutout effort against the Cincinnati Reds.