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I feel that Phillies fans are "true" baseball fans and the most knowledgeable fans in all of baseball. But their performance in yesterday's home opener is embarrassing.
Did they seriously boo Cole Hamels in the second inning of his second start?!
Fans need to chill out about Cole Hamels and cut the guy a break. Are you trying to tell me that if you are named NLCS and World Series MVP and help bring a desperately needed championship, Philadelphia gives you exactly one year before fans are all over you again?
Is there reason to be worried about Cole Hamels? Probably yes. Although he is 2-0, he has a 5.06 ERA and hasn't pitched through the sixth inning yet. He hasn't had command, doesn't have much movement to his fastball, and has barely thrown the curveball and cutter he apparently was working on over the offseason. Quite frankly, he hasn't shown any indication that he is the same pitcher from 2007 and 2008.
But it's not like he's a complete turd, either. He had a very mediocre season last year and has not looked good this year. But two starts is just not enough to measure a guys entire season. I realize you are booing him because you have high expectations. But if you want him to stick around for a while, let's give him at least 5 or so starts before we start hammering him.
This is the first time in his life that Hamels has gone through any adversity. Think about it. He was the prize of the Phillies minor league system, pitched great in his first three seasons as a pro, and then was named MVP in the playoffs twice. HE'S NEVER FAILED BEFORE. Hamels has a great arrogance about him, but he is starting to learn how to use that arrogance, even when he's losing.
If Hamels still stinks a month from now, go at it fans. That's what we do. That's how we let our players and our team know that we won't stand for failure. Just not yet. |
