Former Phillies Cole Hamels and Chase Utley have returned to the headlines
Even though we are just shy of 12 years since LHP Cole Hamels and 2B Chase Utley helped lead the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies to the franchise’s second-ever championship, both are still making headlines ahead of this year’s Opening Day.
Hamels, 36, has been placed on the Atlanta Braves’ 45-day injured list with left triceps tendinitis; with the 2020 regular season only 66 days in length, this could be a season-ending injury if he the 2008 World Series MVP does not make a quick turnaround upon activation. He will be sidelined until at least early September.
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The left-hander signed a one-year, $18 million deal with the Braves in the offseason; prior to his triceps injury woes, Hamels overcame a shoulder injury he sustained in spring training earlier this year.
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Meanwhile, Utley, 41, has not played in the majors since 2018. He is still a few years away from Cooperstown National Baseball Hall of Fame eligibility.
But, the former second baseman and six-time All-Star has been already named to at least one baseball hall — that of the Florida State League. On Wednesday, Utley was announced as being part of the 2020 inductee class of the Florida State League’s Hall of Fame.
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Before Utley joined the Phillies in 2003, he path to The Show included playing for the then-named Clearwater Phillies in 2001 (of the Florida State League). That year, the four-time Silver Slugger Award winner was named an FSL All-Star and selected to play in the 2001 MLB All-Star Futures Game.
Other player inductees include Cooperstown Hall of Famers Mariano Rivera and John Smoltz, as well as former outfielder Michael Cuddyer.
While the pandemic has canceled an induction banquet, the Florida State League Hall of Fame plans to induct Utley and the rest of the 2020 class next year.
So, Hamels and Utley both made news for bad and good, respectively. Hamels hopes to pitch in his 15th season as a Brave at some point this year. He has had to wait for four months to do so. Now, he will have to wait even more.