In the locker to the right of where the new ace of the Phillies' pitching staff was sitting, everything was still in its place: Cole Hamels' nameplate, Cole Hamels' clothes, Cole Hamels' shoes. The eight-player trade consummated late Wednesday night, sending Hamels to the Texas Rangers, was not yet official when the Phillies' clubhouse opened at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, so Hamels' presence remained tangible there, even if he himself was not. He was technically still the Phillies' best pitcher, even if he would not pitch for them again.
And Aaron Nola sat in his chair and leaned over a shelf in his locker, autographing baseball cards.