Steve Carlton: Retired with Minnesota Twins
Steve Carlton‘s Hall of Fame career, spent almost entirely in the National League, ended with 13 games in a Minnesota Twins uniform between 1987-88.
While Carlton got his start with the St. Louis Cardinals, with whom he pitched for seven years, he spent the bulk of his career with the Phillies.
Over 15 seasons in Philadelphia, Carlton won four Cy Young awards, a Gold Glove, and was a seven-time All-Star. He helped the Phillies win their first World Series in 1980.
Carlton’s incredible career ended unceremoniously when the Twins released him in April 1988 and no team signed him for the 1989 season. He deserved better.
Cole Hamels: Not retired
While Cole Hamels claims he’s going to try for a comeback again in 2022, the outlook isn’t great, based on his last few years. He pitched in one game for the Atlanta Braves in 2020, and hasn’t appeared at the major-league level since. Heading into his age-38 season, most are skeptical he’ll ever pitch again.
Hamels was the Phillies’ first-round pick in 2002 and spent the first decade of his big-league career in Philadelphia. He finished in the top-eight in Cy Young voting four times and went to three All-Star Games as a Phillie. In 2008, he had an incredible season and led the Phillies to their second championship in franchise history.
When all is said and done, Hamels should pull a Shane Victorino and sign a one-day to retire with his first team. He still can.