Padres News: 2 Friars Pitchers Announce Retirement From MLB

After two long careers, they've finally decided to hang it up.

The long and storied career of Cole Hamels is coming to an end. The 2002 first rounder is finally calling it quits after a 15-year career in the MLB. 

The 4x All-Star and 2008 World Series MVP most recently signed with the Padres, and has tried making his way back to the majors after recovering from a torn meniscus and pinched nerve in his foot. 

World Series champion Cole Hamels, who valiantly tried for one more comeback, has called it a career and is retiring along with #Padres teammate Craig Stammen. They have officially been placed on the voluntarily retired list.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 4, 2023

He last pitched in the majors in 2020 with the Braves for a whopping total of 3.1 innings. But that doesn't mean he's tried to make his way out of the league until now.

Hamels tried to make a comeback last season with the Dodgers, but a setback in his recovery led to him not spending any time with the major league club.

His 15-year career stats in the majors will be:

163-122 W-L / 3.34 ERA / 2,560 K / 767 BB / 2,698 IP  

Alongside Hamels, veteran reliever Craig Stammen has also called it a career. The model of consistency in the Padres bullpen since 2017, Stammen exited a Spring Training game earlier this year, and at the time, he knew the injury might be career ending.

His 13-year career stats in the majors will be:

55-54 W-L / 3.66 ERA / 743 K / 236 BB / 885.0 IP

Is the next stop the Hall of Fame for Hamels? Will Stammen take on a coaching role post-career?

Congrats to these two legends on officially hanging it up.