Emma: Cole Hamels Was Simply Special In No-Hitter
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- As the shadows crept from west to east on a summer Chicago day, Cole Hamels came closer to history.
Each out that passed like the sun setting overhead moved the Phillies' ace towards greatness. It was truly something to behold.
History arrived on Kris Bryant's flyball that soared through the sky, pushed back into play by "The Hawk" wind. Odubel Herrera battled the waning sun while outstretching his left arm. He fell to the warning track and caught the game's 27th out.
Hamels did it -- a no-hitter.
"It's just a surreal moment," Hamels said after the on-field celebration that ensued following the Phillies' 5-0 win over the Cubs.
Wrigley Field has housed countless timeless moments in baseball. The 101-year-old cathedral of the game holds countless stories. On Friday, it brought the first no-hitter since Milt Pappas fired one on Sept. 2, 1972 and the first time the Cubs have been no-hit since Sept. 5, 1965, a half-century record of 7,920 games.
In game No. 7,921 since Sandy Koufax threw a perfect game against the Cubs, another southpaw was sensational.
Hamels pitches for a Philadelphia team that claims the worst record in baseball. Six days before the trade deadline, he's one of the top candidates to be dealt. In fact, the Cubs have been considered to be a top target for his services.
None of that was on Hamels' mind as he dominated the Cubs. He struck out 13 batters along the way. He received help from two heroic Herrera catches and saved it himself on the last out of the eighth inning by stopping a sharp line drive from the bat of Kyle Schwarber.
Only Dexter Fowler reached base for the Cubs, walking twice. But Saturday was about one man and his moment.
"Today was vintage Cole Hamels," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said.
Added Cubs starter Jake Arrieta: "He was great today."
Hamels' fastball topped out at 97 miles per hour. His changeup dropped to 77 on the gun. His slider was a force to be reckoned with. Adding to it, he lined a double to the left-center field gap to outhit the Cubs himself.
As a child growing up in San Diego, Hamels would tune his television to Cubs baseball and watch day games at Wrigley Field. It's something he recalled on Saturday. Now, he holds a place in this storied ballpark's chronicles.
This was a remarkable performance, one which history will remember.
"It's definitely one of the most special moments I've had," Hamels said.
Fans of both the Cubs and Phillies surrounded the visitors' dugout as Hamels walked off the field. They stood and waited long after the game. Hamels waved to the crowd but kept that same expression on his face as he did when sitting down Cubs, one after the other.
Hamels then walked the long ballpark corridors to the clubhouse with an astounding achievement accomplished.
The sun set over Wrigley Field on Saturday evening with the old ballpark housing another moment of baseball history.
Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.