PHILADELPHIA -- When Cole Hamels threw out the first pitch on Friday night, it marked his first time wearing a Phillies jersey on a big league mound since July 25, 2015, when he threw his historic no-hitter at Wrigley Field in his final start with the franchise.

The 2008 World Series MVP returned to Citizens Bank Park to officially retire as a Phillie in a special pregame ceremony ahead of Philadelphia's series-opening loss to the D-backs. A number of franchise greats were in attendance, including his former catcher Carlos Ruiz -- who caught that no-hitter -- and manager Charlie Manuel, among others.

As part of the festivities, current Phillies stars Aaron Nola and Kyle Schwarber presented Hamels with the pitching rubber and the original lineup card from that game at Wrigley Field -- his 308th and final career appearance (including the postseason) in a Philadelphia uniform.

“This is such a special place,” Hamels said. “I'm really, really fortunate that this day came up and how everything is turning out with some of the best teammates I've ever had.”

This likely won't be the last time the organization honors Hamels. He, along with some of the other core members of those 2007-11 Phillies teams, seems like a safe bet for the Phillies' Wall of Fame at some point down the road.

Former teammates Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins are still waiting for their likely place on the Wall -- and Hamels figures to go up right alongside them.

Drafted by the Phillies in the first round in 2002, Hamels went on to make three of his four career All-Star appearances with the Phillies. He earned a share of NL Cy Young Award votes in four of his eight full seasons with the team. He ranks third in franchise history with 1,844 strikeouts, trailing only Steve Carlton (3,031) -- who delivered the ball to Hamels ahead of his first pitch to Ruiz -- and Robin Roberts (1,871).

Of course, the lasting memory for Hamels -- and Phillies fans -- was the 2008 postseason when he was named MVP of both the NLCS and World Series.

“We got to do something really special and the bond that we have is going to be forever,” Hamels said of his former teammates. “And to be able to then come back and be welcomed and loved, and just try to acknowledge how thankful we are that we had the opportunity to play in front of the best fans in the world -- and we got to win.

“We did what we set out to do. I know we would have loved to be able to do it a couple times, but we did get that trophy.”

And Hamels expects another one might be on the way.

“Now, it’s this team’s turn,” Hamels said to a rousing ovation from the packed ballpark. “So let’s go. Let’s cheer on another run for a championship.”

Current Phillies manager Rob Thomson was exposed to Hamels' potential long before that 2008 postseason run. In fact, it was more than two years before Hamels even made his MLB debut.

Thomson, who oversaw Spring Training for the Yankees at the time, recalled a trip to Clearwater in 2004. A 20-year-old non-roster invitee by the name of Cole Hamels came on in relief for the Phillies and proceeded to strike out Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Tony Clark in succession.

"Nobody knew who he was," Thomson said. "We didn't do anything off him. All the guys were coming back going, 'Who is this kid?'"

It wasn't long until everyone knew Hamels.

From the time of his MLB debut on May 12, 2006, until his final pitch as a Phillie on July 25, 2015, only one pitcher racked up more strikeouts than Hamels' 1,844 (Felix Hernandez, 1,955). Though the Phillies dropped off as a team after making the postseason each year from 2007-11, Hamels remained one of the game's better pitchers -- right down to that final start when he no-hit a stacked Cubs lineup.

Hamels was traded to Texas six days later. He knew in his heart he’d never pitch for the Phillies again.

Hamels spent time with the Rangers (2015-18), Cubs (2018-19) and Braves (2020) to wrap up his career. He attempted to extend his career with the Dodgers in 2021 and again with the Padres in '23, but injuries kept him from returning to the Majors.

He was placed on the voluntarily retired list by San Diego last Aug. 4, but Hamels always planned to end his career in the same place it started -- and Friday’s ceremony brought him all the closure he could ask for.

“This was perfect right here,” Hamels said. “It's going to take a while for me to really digest and understand what just happened.”