Phillies LHP Hamels takes shot at Mets

Dec 12, 2008 - 3:53 AM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The baseball season won't officially begin until April 5, but that didn't stop Cole Hamels from tossing the first pitch on Thursday.

The Philadelphia Phillies ace and World Series Most Valuable Player called the National League East rival New York Mets "choke artists" during an interview on radio station WFAN.

"Last year and this year, I think we did believe that," Hamels said. "Three years ago, we didn't, because they smoked everybody. I really thought that was the year they were going to the World Series. Unfortunately, it didn't happen.

"That's kind of what we believe. ... I think we're always going to believe it 'til they prove us wrong."

When asked again if he thought the Mets were "choke artists", Hamels agreed.

"Yeah, for the past two years, they've been choke artists," he said.

During the last two seasons, the Phillies have used a late-season push to move past the Mets and claim the NL East crown. This past season, Hamels led Philadelphia to its first World Series title since 1980 by downing the Tampa Bay Rays in five games.