Major League Baseball

Traded? Phillies' Hamels pranks media into thinking he was dealt

Published Jun. 18, 2015 9:03 p.m. ET

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Cole Hamels is such a kidder.

The Philadelphia Phillies left-hander was expected to miss his Friday start against the St. Louis Cardinals due to a mild hamstring strain, and the media probably wanted to talk to him about that. Reporters probably wanted to ask about possible trade rumors, too. If the hamstring injury is serious, that affects any attempts to deal him away.

So when Hamels’ locker was emptied out following the Phillies’ 2-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday — with his nameplate removed — that raised immediate suspicions that something was going on. Had he been traded?

As legendary and fictional Indians manager Lou Brown once told Ricky Vaughn in "Major League" after the pitcher thought he had been sent to the minors, “I think someone’s been having some fun with you.”

It turns out Hamels pulled a prank on the media, according to CSN Philly’s Jim Salisbury.

Hamels was not available for comment after Thursday’s game, but he did take the opportunity to have a little fun with the situation by emptying the contents of his locker and removing his nameplate. Upon entering the clubhouse after the game, reporters wondered whether the pitcher had been traded. It was just a prank, Hamels having a little fun with everybody.

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