Hamels excited about opening-day start

(AP) Cole Hamels says it's an "honor" to start on opening day and he'll "cherish" his first assignment when the Philadelphia Phillies begin the season at Atlanta.

Hamels already has a World Series ring, a pair of postseason MVP trophies and a lucrative contract. He's gone from ace of a championship team to being the No. 4 starter in a star-filled rotation and now back to No. 1. Even before Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee joined the Phillies, Brett Myers got the nod over Hamels for opening day. Now it's finally Hamels' chance.

"It's something I will cherish," he says. "It's something I'll be able to remember for a really long time. At the same time, it's going to be a great season."