First, I thought that was great insight by Hamels and showed an absolutely ton of respect to Carpenter for what he did to the Phillies.
Second, I think that we, as fans, recognize exactly what Hamels is saying. Is anyone here disappointed in Carpenter this season because he didn't pitch this season? I'm not. I wish he was out there, sure, but if he never pitches again, he'll never be anything less than a Cardinals hero and legend. His injury and the potential end of his career (almost certainly caused by his workload in '11) makes him that much more of a hero and a legend. I hope he comes back and does it all again next year, but if he doesn't, then I still want to see him standing up there on Opening Day with Brock and Gibson and Whitey and Ozzie in a half dozen years and for every year after that. He's earned it. You could put his name and number on the outfield wall and he would fit with everyone else.
The Nationals might not give Strasburg the chance to make that kind of legacy happen and they're probably wrong to assume that it will be there in future seasons. It get it, I suppose, but with a team like the Nationals and their history (or complete lack thereof), they are denying Strasburg and fans the opportunity to make some real history.
Edit: forgot the link to the article: http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/82534 ... -let-pitch
And the quotes from Hamels and Carpenter:
Chris Carpenter hasn't thrown a pitch since Game 7 of the World Series. Does anyone think he would trade his World Series ring to make 30 starts this season? No chance.
He knew this past October that he was pushing himself beyond his threshold of fatigue and soreness. But that, he said, is "what you're supposed to do. It's not a phenomenon. It's what you're supposed to do. That's what makes you a pitcher. That's what makes you a professional. You pitch. That's what makes you an ace."
Even Hamels, whose team got bounced from the playoffs because of an October Carpenter masterpiece, understands exactly why Carpenter made the sacrifices he made.
"That World Series will go on forever," Hamels said. "He'll always be known for what he did then, not for the season he missed the following year. I don't think anybody will remember Carpenter missing the season. They'll remember how dominant he was in the World Series."
Be aware of this: These October warriors understand the risks they're taking, the potential jeopardy to their futures, when they reach for greatness in the autumn chill. But they go out there anyway.
"It's in the heart and personality of a champion and a big leaguer," said Hershiser. "They've got risk in their heart. They just look at risk and say, 'I'm going for it.' You know, heroes fear taking risk like everyone else. They just spit in its face."
