Cole Hamels, the former Philadelphia Phillies ace, appears on the 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot as a newcomer. The four-time All-Star retired with a strong career record and postseason accolades. Debate centers on whether his achievements warrant induction into Cooperstown.
Cole Hamels, who played parts of 15 seasons across four teams, retired as one of the notable pitchers of his generation. His career statistics include a 163-122 record, a 3.43 ERA that was 123 ERA+ better than league average, a 1.18 WHIP, and 2,560 strikeouts over 2,698 innings. He earned All-Star selections four times and received Cy Young votes in four seasons, peaking at fifth place in 2011.
In the postseason, Hamels shone brightly with a 7-6 record and 3.41 ERA across 17 starts totaling 100 ⅓ innings. He captured NLCS MVP and World Series MVP honors in 2008, helping the Phillies to a championship.
Hamels' 59.0 WAR places him 71st all-time among starting pitchers, a ranking that prompts questions about Hall standards. Currently, 67 pitchers reside in Cooperstown. The article argues for a slight adjustment in criteria for modern pitchers, who face different workload demands compared to past eras.
From 2000 onward, Hamels ranks eighth in WAR among pitchers, trailing Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, Zack Greinke, Roy Halladay, CC Sabathia, and Mark Buehrle. Historical comparisons highlight that the Hall includes a range of inductees, from elite figures like Tom Seaver to others like Burleigh Grimes. The author supports Hamels' inclusion, stating, "Hamels will get my vote this year," emphasizing fairness for contemporary starters.