The Cubs finally made a mid-sized splash before the trade deadline when they traded for 34-year-old left handed pitcher Cole Hamels three days ago. The trade cost them two right-handers — Eddie Butler and Rollie Lacy — and a player to be named along with cash considerations.
Cubs fans overall seemed to like the trade since Hamels has been one of the better lefty’s in the game for the past decade. Along with another lefty, Jon Lester, the two Cubs pitchers rank near the top of active left-handed pitchers in the game today.
Hamels and Lester, according to @ESPNStatsInfo: They are both 34 (Hamels is 11 days older) — were both drafted in 2002 – they rank in the top 3 among active left-handed pitchers in wins, and Hamels career ERA is higher than Lester’s by .06.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) July 27, 2018
Hamels has a career 3.43 ERA but Cubs fans probably remember him most from the last time he pitched at Wrigley Field when he no-hit the Cubs in June of 2015. With the addition of Hamels, the Cubs could run out four lefties in their starting rotation now that Tyler Chatwood has been sent to the bullpen where he can walk hitters in relief appearances instead of as a starter.
I don’t know if Cubs fans were genuinely excited to get Hamels from Texas or if more of that excitement stemmed from the fact that we no longer have to watch Tyler Chatwood walk an opposing team’s entire lineup. Either way, I think Hamels will be a great addition to the Cubs as they continue their push for the postseason.
One Cubs fan was excited about the news that Cole Hamels would be pitching for the Cubs this season and since he’d probably never get the chance to formally welcome Hamels to Chicago, Dennis Lindberg of Champaign took to Twitter.com to welcome him to the team.
The only problem was he tweeted at the wrong player.
Instead of welcoming Cole Hamels to the team, Lindberg tagged Royals pitcher (and former Cub) Jason Hammel.
I appreciate the warm welcome, but I think u have the wrong Ham(m)el(there’s no s). A great addition the other guy tho. 👍🏻 https://t.co/pGSVzHBics
— Jason Hammel (@HammelTime39) July 29, 2018
Cubs fans will remember Jason Hammel from his two-year stint in Chicago from 2015-2016 but will more so remember him as the pitcher who ate potato chips to help cure a cramping issue.
The internet couldn’t let Lindberg live down this simple mistake and responded quickly as they always do.
Hamels (not Hammel) will make his Cubs debut this Wednesday against the Pirates.
