February 23: Cole Hamels Becomes A Cover Boy

The Main Event

February 23, 2009 – Phillies ace Cole Hamels appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, recognizing his postseason dominance following the 2008 season in which he was named both NLCS and World Series MVP. The cover symbolized Hamels’ rise as one of baseball’s premier left-handed pitchers and a central figure of the franchise’s championship era.

Cole Hamels authored one of the most memorable postseason runs in Philadelphia baseball history during the 2008 playoffs, anchoring the Phillies’ pitching staff and delivering in every moment that mattered most. His calm presence, precision command, and ability to rise in high-pressure situations turned a talented Phillies roster into a championship team and cemented his place in franchise lore.

Hamels entered the postseason as the staff ace, but the expectations placed on him were immense. Facing a Milwaukee Brewers lineup that featured a dangerous mix of power and speed, he immediately set the tone in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. Hamels worked eight shutout innings, allowing just five hits while striking out nine. The performance was dominant without being flashy and it gave the Phillies both a series lead and a sense of control. That outing established a pattern that followed him throughout October. When the Phillies needed stability, Hamels provided it.

NLCS MVP Performance

The National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers became the defining stretch of Hamels’ postseason. He started two games and won both, including Game 1 and the pennant-clinching Game 5. Across those outings, he allowed just two earned runs over 13 innings. His ability to neutralize the Dodgers’ left-handed hitters with a devastating changeup proved especially critical. In Game 5, with a World Series berth on the line, Hamels pitched into the eighth inning and never let the momentum slip. His consistency and poise earned him the NLCS Most Valuable Player Award, a recognition that reflected both performance and leadership.

World Series Command and Composure

Hamels’ excellence carried seamlessly into the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. In Game 1, he once again delivered a tone-setting performance, throwing six strong innings and allowing only two runs while striking out five. The Phillies never trailed, and his start gave them immediate control of the series. While his Game 5 start was shortened by rain and difficult conditions, Hamels still did his job by keeping the game manageable and preventing the Rays from breaking through early. His calm demeanor in chaotic circumstances stood out and reinforced the trust his teammates had in him.

Moments That Defined a Championship Run

Beyond the numbers, Hamels’ postseason was defined by moments. Pitching deep into games allowed the Phillies to manage their bullpen effectively. His changeup consistently induced weak contact in crucial spots, especially with runners on base. Perhaps most importantly, he thrived in opening games of each series, giving the Phillies early confidence and forcing opponents to play from behind. By the end of the World Series, there was little doubt who had been the most valuable player. Hamels was awarded the World Series MVP, becoming just the fourth pitcher in history to win both the NLCS and World Series MVP awards in the same postseason.

Hamels’ 2008 postseason was not about overpowering velocity or dramatic theatrics. It was about execution, intelligence, and nerve. In a city that values toughness and results, his October performance remains the gold standard for Phillies postseason pitching.

ICYMI

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Philadelphia Baseball Events for February 23

February 23, 1979 – The Philadelphia Phillies completed a major offseason trade with the Chicago Cubs, acquiring second baseman Manny Trillo, outfielder Greg Gross, and catcher Dave Rader in exchange for a five-player package. Trillo would become a core member of the club’s early 1980s teams and a key contributor to the 1980 World Series championship.
February 23, 2013 – During spring training, the Phillies traded right-handed pitcher Michael Schwimer to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for minor league first baseman Art Charles. Neither player ever appeared in the majors for their new team. Art Charles, who is now 34, has spent the past five seasons playing for Yucatan in the Mexican League.

MLB Events for February 23

February 23, 1996 – The Rules Committee announces that the strike zone will be larger, dropping it from the top of the knees to the hollow below the knees. The change comes out of a series of recommendations to help speed-up play.
February 23, 2013 – The famous “bloody sock” worn by Curt Schilling in Game 2 of the 2004 World Series is sold at auction for $92,613. Schilling had loaned the item to the Hall of Fame, but had used it as collateral against a loan to set up his video game company, 38 Studios, which went bankrupt in 2012. Schilling defaulted on payments, prompting the bank to sell it in order to recover some of its loss.

Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for February 23

Billy Lauder (born 1874) – A third baseman who played for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1998 and 1999 and then played in two games for the Athletics in 1901. Lauder drove in 157 runs in his two seasons with the Phillies and hit .266.
Rudy Hulswitt (born 1877) – A shortstop who played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1902-1904. Hulswitt played a total of five MLB seasons with Philadelphia, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Louisville.
Jim Carlin (born 1918) – An outfielder and third baseman, Carlin played in 16 games with the Phillies in 1941 prior to spending four years in the military.
John Morris (born 1961) – An outfielder who appeared for the Phillies in 85 games in 1981, contributing as a left-handed bat and reserve outfielder across seven seasons in Major League Baseball. He also played for St. Louis and the California Angels.
Jason Boyd (born 1973) – A right-handed pitcher who was originally drafted by the Phillies in the eighth round of the 1994 Draft, but did not sign. The Phillies claimed him off waivers from Pittsburgh late in spring training in 2000. In all, he pitched for four different teams, including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh (twice), San Diego, and Cleveland.

Hall of Famers born on February 23

Ray Brown (born 1908) – A right-handed pitcher and outfielder who played 14 seasons in the Negro Leagues, primarily with the Homestead Grays (1932-1945). On the mound he had a career mark of 119-46 with a 3.12 ERA. He won the pitching Triple Crown in 1938 when he led the league in wins (14), ERA (1.88), and strikeouts (70). As a hitter he had over 1,400 at-bats with a 25-197-.266/.332/.417/.749 stat line.

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