Major League Baseball

Hamels working on his mental game

Published Feb. 18, 2010 5:29 p.m. ET

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Cole Hamels somehow went from pitching with poise and confidence to pouting when things didn't go his way.

Hamels was a postseason hero in 2008, helping the Philadelphia Phillies win the second World Series title in franchise history. But when the Phillies tried for a repeat, they couldn't even count on Hamels to pitch Game 2 at hostile Yankee Stadium. Pedro Martinez got the nod instead, and Hamels blew a 3-0 lead in a pivotal loss in Game 3.

Now the Phillies enter spring training needing Hamels to recapture his old form. If he can, Philadelphia has an even better chance of becoming the first NL team to win three straight pennants since the St. Louis Cardinals did it 66 years ago.

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