Cole Hamels Suspension: Phillies Pitcher Earns 5-Game Suspension for Throwing at Bryce Harper [Video]

After the game, Hamels, the MVP of the 2008 World Series, revealed that intentional “plunking” was his “old-school way” of officially welcoming the 19-year-old phenom to the big leagues.

“I was trying to hit him,” the two-time All-Star lefty said Sunday night. “I’m not going to deny it. I’m not trying to injure the guy. They’re probably not going to like me for it, but I’m not going to say I wasn’t trying to do it. I think they understood the message, and they threw it right back. That’s the way, and I respect it.”

Hamels added:

“That’s something I grew up watching, that’s kind of what happened. So I’m just trying to continue the old baseball because I think some people are kind of getting away from it. I remember when I was a rookie the strike zone was really, really small and you didn’t say anything because that’s the way baseball is. But I think unfortunately the league’s protecting certain players and making it not that old-school, prestigious way of baseball”

Unless appealed, Hamels was scheduled to begin serving his suspension later tonight when the Phillies host the New York Mets.

In addition to the 5-game hiatus, ESPN reports the infraction will also cost the hard-throwing lefty an undisclosed amount of cash.

MLB insider Tim shares his thoughts on Cole Hamels’ suspension and the affect it will have on the Phillies in the video below:

via ESPN