Phillies Fans Weren’t Happy When A New Player Took Cole Hamels’ #35

It doesn’t take much for Philly sports fans to be up in arms, and this week, it was a slight to former pitcher Cole Hamels that had them fired up.

Despite his spot in Phillies history, it was announced yesterday that newly-acquired Oscar Mercado would be wearing #35, which was last worn by Hamels.

OF Óscar Mercado has reported and will be active for tonight’s game. He will wear #35. To make room on the 26-man roster, RHP Zach Eflin has been placed on the 15-day IL (retro to 6/26) with a right knee bruise.

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 28, 2022

Fans Were immediately outraged that someone was taking Cole Hamels’ number.

Bad look for the Phillies for handing out No. 35 when Cole Hamels, just like Howard, Utley & Rollins, should have his number retired.

⁰The Phils have been around for about 140 yrs. Only two guys have won World Series MVP for them. Hamels is one of them. https://t.co/x6Nsbl3SIy

— shamus (@shamus_clancy) June 29, 2022

This is the first time they’ve put No.35 back in circulation since Cole Hamels was traded seven years ago.

From that era, I believe 11, 26 and 6 are only others that have been out of circulation during the last decade. https://t.co/PWYheET8yT

— Ryan Lawrence (@ryanlawrence21) June 28, 2022

The disrespect to the legend Cole Hamels https://t.co/Y11VM8tTO1 pic.twitter.com/NDCGGce9o0

— NBA Slime (@TerryFranconia) June 28, 2022

The first player to wear Cole Hamels’ number is a waiver signing?
I don’t put Hamels in the same class as Rollins-Utley-Howard but this still seems disrespectful https://t.co/lsgSiIzUX4

— Dan Ward (@DanWard856) June 28, 2022

The Phillies continued disrespect to the guys who actually brought a World Series to Philadelphia is honestly disgusting.

Roy Halladay was great here for 2 years and got his number retired and Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley get 1/10th the respect. https://t.co/DcOd0Pgrf6

— Exit Velocity (@xitVelocity) June 28, 2022

How do the Phillies not retire Cole Hamels number?

— Mooney™ (@Full_MOONey25) June 28, 2022

Cole Hamels has been out for a while with an injury, but the veteran left-hander has not yet retired.

Per NY Post’s Jon Heyman:

“Cole Hamels has decided to take his time with his comeback plans and try next spring rather than rush things. He called off a comeback a year ago when he experienced a setback after signing with the Dodgers. Hamels, 38, has thrown just 3 ¹/₃ innings since 2019 but is a career 163-game winner.”

Maybe Cole Hamels will have his jersey number retired by the Phillies someday. But perhaps he’ll still retire with the team before it’s said and done.

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