Cole Hamels Honors David Montgomery by Wearing DPM Patch on His Cubs Jersey

On Wednesday night, Cole Hamels pitched at Citizens Bank Park as a visiting player for the first time in his big-league career.

But he did so with the Phillies in his heart and on his sleeve.

Hamels beautifully saluted David Montgomery by sporting the "DPM" patch, which represents the initials of the beloved former Phillies president who died on May 8. The 2008 World Series MVP asked for the patch back in May when the Phillies visited Wrigley Field.

"It's going to be in my locker and I'm going to be staring at it every day," Hamels said then, via NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury. "It's important. I'm thankful that I get to play the game of baseball, but what David taught me has made me a better person and man. I got to grow up [in Philadelphia]. The lessons that I learned and the maturity I gained had a lot to do with David."

Hamels had the patch right there on his Cubs jersey Wednesday night. 

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Did Hamels receive permission from Major League Baseball to wear the patch?

No, I'll take the fine, I really don't care," Hamels told reporters postgame Wednesday. "David meant a lot to me and my wife [Heidi]. For what it's worth, coming here at 18 years old and being here for such a long time, he was a person that was in our life a lot.

Hamels was drafted by the Phillies in 2002 and played 10 seasons in red pinstripes. The Philadelphia area became home for the lefty from California, who was taught by Montgomery the importance of doing charitable work in the community.

At Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday night, Hamels received standing ovations as he took the mound in the bottom of the first inning and when he came up to the plate in the third.

Hamels raised his right arm to acknowledge the crowd. 

Montgomery's initials were raised, as well.

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