COOPERSTOWN, NY — The shocking news has just been confirmed: Cole Hamels, the former Phillies ace pitcher and Cubs player, has been named a first-time candidate for the 2026 Hall of Fame. This is a “once in a lifetime” opportunity for the legend to be permanently etched into baseball history.
Hamels has a truly remarkable resume: over the course of 15 seasons in MLB, he won 163 games, had a 3.43 ERA, and struck out 2,560 times.
On top of that, he was a hero for the Phillies, winning MVP of the 2008 World Series, helping lead the team to the championship.
According to the BBWAA, to be elected to the Hall of Fame, a candidate must receive at least 75% of the vote.
Despite having to compete with returning veterans like Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones, the fact that Hamels was nominated in his first year is a strong sign of his value.
A big strength of Hamels’s resume is his high bWAR – around 59.0 according to Baseball-Reference – which is tops among the new nominees.
This proves that, despite sometimes lacking big awards like the Cy Young, Hamels has had a lasting impact through his consistency, deep pitching ability, and ability to compete at the plate in big moments.
Many people in baseball and fans have voiced their support for Hamels. According to former teammate Kyle Kendrick: “Cole had one of the best change-ups in history, and he was always a guy who lived for the game. He deserves to be remembered as one of the greatest pitchers of his era.”
However, the road to Cooperstown was certainly not easy. Some experts believe that Hamels’ peak performance has not reached the “dominant peak” that many Hall of Fame rookies possess.
In addition, competition from other candidates such as Ryan Braun, Matt Kemp… also poses a big challenge.
Hamels’ return to the Hall of Fame ballot is also an emotional reminder for Phillies fans: from the glorious days of 2008 to the unforgettable games, Hamels has left a strong mark on the history of the team. When his name was announced on the BBWAA list, many old fans expressed hope that the “halo” of the past will shine again — this time in Cooperstown.
If elected, Hamels will become a model for “perseverance + peak” pitchers, not necessarily Cy Young winners, but still of great historical value. It would represent a new standard in how players are judged: not just by their performance in one year, but by their overall impact over multiple seasons.
The results of the vote will be announced on January 20, 2026, on MLB Network, and if Hamels is successful, the ceremony will take place in the summer in Cooperstown.
Under the lights of Cooperstown, Cole Hamels could be on the stage of legend — where his name will not just be a memory but an immortal part of baseball history.
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