Matt Gelb explains how Cole Hamels became a harder worker between starts, both on and off the field, after his poor 2009 season.

Hamels bought a notebook at the behest of Moyer. He saw Roy Halladay’s meticulous notes and created his own system. The meetings with Ruiz became regular.

His four days between starts became harder work than when he took the ball on the mound – a fundamental principle of Halladay’s preparation.

Some might have let their talent slip away, but Cole saved it going into his prime years.