WATCH: Cole Hamels gets rousing ovation for milestone achievement |
CHICAGO — With a tip of his cap, veteran Chicago Cubs southpaw
Cole Hamels displayed his appreciation for the adoring Cubs faithful in attendance at Wrigley Field on Tuesday. Fans and teammates alike stood and applauded Hamels for a special feat that he accomplished early in the Cubs' matchup with the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, and Hamels returned the favor.
Becoming just the 10th left-handed pitcher in the history of Major League Baseball to tally 2,500 strikeouts, Hamels struck the leadoff batter out looking in the top of the third and received a rousing ovation because of it. Hamels trails only New York Yankees hurler CC Sabathia in terms of career strikeouts notched by an active lefty, as Sabathia has over 3,000 punchouts to his name. Hamels' big-league career as a starting pitcher began in 2006, with the 35-year-old toeing the rubber for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Texas Rangers before joining the Cubs midway through last season. Interestingly, the 2,500th K for Hamels came against White Sox pitcher Ivan Nova, who was only batting because the game was being played in a National League park. Cole Hamels (@ColeHamels) receives a standing ovation for becoming the 10th left handed pitcher in MLB History to record 2,500 strikeouts for his career!#EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/tp2TfvpCCt
