Phillies Single-A affiliate has hit a hole in one with their latest honor
Minor league ballparks are always looking for unique ideas to engage fans, and the Phillies Single-A affiliate Lakewood BlueClaws have outdone themselves.
Lakewood will debut a nine-hole mini golf course at FirstEnergy Park, to be dubbed the “Hole of Fame.” Each of the nine holes will honor a former member of the BlueClaws, including Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels.
Here are the players being honored and the corresponding hole each will represent:
"1st Hole – Ryan Howard – Howard hit 19 home runs as a BlueClaw in 2002, his first full professional season. Just three years later, he would win NL Rookie of the Year and was the 2006 National League MVP. The BlueClaws retired his #29 during a rehab appearance at FirstEnergy Park in 2010. Philadelphia Phillies That Balls Outta Here Prospect Andrew Baker could help Phillies bullpen in 2023 More headlines around FanSided: — Bryce Harper’s absence should lead to Phillies lineup tinkering — On This Day: The Blue Jays ship an all-time great to the Phillies — Phillies rumors: Club targets Seth Lugo for possible bullpen role — Pirates' bizarre Vince Velasquez hype video will make Phillies fans laugh — Acquiring Brandon Marsh gave the Phillies flexibility More News at That Balls Outta Here 2nd Hole – Scott Kingery – Kingery joined the BlueClaws straight out of the University of Arizona, from where he was the Phillies 2nd round pick in the 2015 draft. He spent the 2nd half of that season with the BlueClaws before quickly rising through the system and reaching the Phillies in 2018.3rd Hole – Carlos Ruiz – An original BlueClaw, Ruiz spent the 2001 season with the BlueClaws and worked his way up to the big leagues, debuting in 2006. He was the catcher on the Phillies 2008 World Series Championship team and became a fan-favorite in Philadelphia.4th Hole – Rhys Hoskins – A 2015 BlueClaw, Hoskins hit .322 with nine home runs over 68 games with the BlueClaws before a promotion after the SAL All-Star Game. He made his Phillies debut in 2017, bursting onto the scene by hitting 18 home runs over his first 50 major league games.5th Hole – JP Crawford – Crawford, a 2013 first-round pick, became the first high school draftee to play for the BlueClaws in the year he was drafted. After returning to the BlueClaws in 2014, he was promoted after an All-Star first half. The Lakewood, California native made his Phillies debut in 2017.PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 15: Pitcher Mark Leiter #59 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the Oakland Athletics during a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 15, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)6th Hole – Mark Leiter, Jr. – The Toms River North product was drafted in 2013 out of NJIT and spent time with the BlueClaws in both 2013 and 2014. Just the second Shore Conference alum to play for the BlueClaws, Leiter became the first to reach the Phillies when debuting in 2017.7th Hole – Darick Hall – Playing in one of MiLB’s toughest hitters’ parks, Hall smashed BlueClaws-records with both 27 home runs and 96 RBIs. Additionally, Hall became the first BlueClaw to win South Atlantic League Most Valuable Player.8th Hole – Nick Fanti – Fanti made BlueClaws history twice in 2017. On May 5th, he recorded 26 of 27 outs in a combined no-hitter with Trevor Bettencourt at Columbia. Then on July 17th, he got all 27 outs in a nine-inning no-hitter against Charleston, just the second, and first in a win, by a BlueClaw.9th Hole – Cole Hamels – Hamels pitched to a 0.84 ERA over 13 starts with the BlueClaws in 2003, his first professional stop. The left-hander would go on to a successful big league career and was named 2008 World Series Most Valuable Player. The BlueClaws retired his #19 during a pre-game ceremony in 2014."
Seven of the nine players being honored have made the Major Leagues, with Nick Fanti and Darick Hall being the lone exceptions. The twenty-one-year-old Fanti will pitch for High-A Clearwater this year after one season strong with Lakewood. Hall is also with Clearwater hitting .296 with 16 extra-base hits.
Ruiz, Howard, and Hamels won a World Series in 2008, and Hamels is the lone player remaining on a major league roster. Howard and Hamels both saw their numbers retired by Lakewood in recent years.
Leiter Jr. and Crawford are on the disabled list after playing in the majors last season with limited success.
Hoskins and Kingery are now two of the major building blocks for Philadelphia going forward, but both are in hitting slumps that have extended multiple series after hot starts.
Lakewood did not mention when the “Hole of Fame” would be made official, or if any of the players recognized will be in attendance.
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Lakewood broke a four-game losing streak Monday night and will start a seven-game homestand with Charleston and West Virginia in town. Coincidentally Wednesday is Allergy Awareness Night followed by Bark at the Park on Thursday.