The Philadelphia Phillies always do a good job of keeping former players attached to the organization, from spring training instructors to events and ceremonies at Citizens Bank Park every season. The big name coming back into the fold in 2025 is one of our all-time favorites: Cole Hamels.
As reported by PHLY's Jim Salisbury, the former ace is with the Phillies at the MLB Winter Meetings. Aside from putting in some face time at the event close to home in Dallas (he lives in the area), Hamels, 40, will also be one of the Phillies' special guest instructors during spring training (subscription required), according to Salisbury. Hamels is also scheduled to appear on television broadcasts in 2025.
How often Hamels gets on air remains to be seen. It's a part-time gig, so hopefully, we'll see him in the booth at a semi-regular cadence. He'll join play-by-play man Tom McCarthy and the other rotating personalities for gameday broadcasts on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Cole Hamels returning to the Phillies as a special spring training instructor will help Andrew Painter
As a special spring training instructor, the legendary Phillie will be a valuable resource for the team's top pitching prospect, right-hander Andrew Painter, ranked No. 2 by MLB Pipeline. After a wildly successful return to the mound in the AFL following Tommy John surgery, the Phillies are hoping to build Painter up to an eventual MLB debut at some point during the regular season.
Like Painter, Hamels was a first-round draft pick. He certainly didn't disappoint in his 10 years in red pinstripes, posting a 114-90 record with a 3.30 ERA in 295 games. He was a four-time All-Star in his 15-year career (three times as a Phillie). He received Cy Young votes in four separate seasons but, most importantly, helped the Phillies win the 2008 World Series, securing World Series and NLCS MVP honors.
He also played for the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs and appeared in one game for the Atlanta Braves before calling it quits. The Phillies honored Hollywood Hamels at a ceremony at Citizens Bank Park this past summer as he officially retired as a Phillie — the only way it should be.