Cole Hamels is officially set to retire as a Phillie Friday night at Citizens Bank Park.
It's a game many have had circled on their calendar to welcome back and honor one of the biggest pieces of the 2008 World Series team.
When you think of the left-handed pitcher, a few things quickly come to mind — his changeup, NLCS and World Series MVP titles, the no-hitter in his final start with the Phillies and, of course, his jersey number.
No. 35 has been worn by three players since Hamels: Óscar Mercado (2022), Drew Ellis (2023) and most recently, David Dahl.
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The number has become available once more.
It was announced Thursday that Dahl, who has been with the club majority of June, has officially changed his number to 31.
And it was out of pure respect for the pitcher he's come to know.
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“It was something I’d just thought about," Dahl said. "And once I saw that they were doing the ceremony here and he was going to retire a Phillie, it was just out of pure respect for him and what he’s accomplished in this org.
Three All-Star Games. World Series MVP. So, that’s just kind of what I was thinking and I thought it was a good decision.”
Dahl and Hamels spent time together while the two were rehabbing in Arizona as members of the Padres' organization. Out of respect to Hamels and his importance in franchise history, Dahl went to the Phillies and offered to make the switch.
“Yeah, I was hurt last year with the Padres, so I was rehabbing in Arizona," he said. "He was making a comeback and he was rehabbing his shoulder. Got to know him for about a month. Not only was he a great pitcher, but just how he treated everyone and how he came to work every day, I respected him a ton. That was kind of the reason for the decision.”
It was an all-class move heading into what should be a well-received, emotional evening.
The Phillies will be wearing a special jersey patch for the game. As it's being played Friday night at home, the club will be wearing their City Connect uniforms that debuted this season.
Credit: Philadelphia Phillies
NBC Sports Philadelphia will be streaming the retirement ceremony during Phillies Pregame Live Friday night at 6:00 p.m. before the Phillies host the Diamondbacks. The game will be exclusively streamed on Apple TV+.
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