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Joe Blanton: One Year Later
Posted by Pat Gallen, Mon, August 03, 2009 01:50 PM
On July 18, 2008, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired a seemingly unassuming right-handed pitcher from the Oakland A’s for three prospects. The guy was toiling for an average team led by a general manager whose vocabulary lacks the word “no.”
On that day, Joe Blanton became a member of the Phillies rotation, and was looked at as nothing more than a back-end, fifth starter type. As Oakland’s opening day starter in 2008, Big Joe would come to Philly as a stitch meant to close the wound left by Adam Eaton and his abhorrent track record. Little did Phillies fans know, that a year later, Joe Blanton would be an integral part of another championship run.
Now 33 starts into his tenure with the club, Blanton has been a pleasant surprise. Include the three splendid performances during the postseason run, and Blanton is even more revered. After a full season in the books, Philadelphia may have found themselves a small gem.
Blanton has pitched 196 innings in his 33 regular season starts, giving up 89 earned runs in the process. A four-ERA is a blessing when you consider what the alternative would have been (Adam Eaton, where art thou?). Last season, Blanton took the hill 13 times, but never really wowed anyone. He just went along, pitching to contact while trying his best to give the team a steady hand.
Move ahead to the playoffs, and Blanton was a man possessed. Posting a 3.18 ERA in three starts, including a six-inning, seven-strikeout beauty in the 10-2, Game 4 blowout over the Rays. It was then that we also learned Joe could swing a stick, as he blasted a home run, and earned a nickname.
In 2009, Blanton has found that consistency once again. After scuffling through the first two months, the Nashville native has been rocking along with relative ease. Since June 1, he has tossed nine quality starts over 11 games, lowering his ERA from 6.14 to a very respectable 4.02. In that time, Blanton has become an inning-eating machine as well, by going at least seven strong in five straight appearances.
Looking into the near future, Blanton will assuredly be in line for yet another raise. With the payroll distended to a new level already, plus, with the addition of Cliff Lee’s contract, will Blanton be around long-term? Can the Phillies afford a multi-year deal for Blanton with raises on the horizon for others? It’s a legit query that will be a hot topic soon, especially with up and coming arms like Kyle Drabek and Joe Savery scratching the surface.
On Saturday night, Tim Lincecum got the best of Big Joe by using his array of wizardry to stifle the Phillies bats. Although it shows as an “L” on paper, his performance spoke volumes. Cliff Lee he ain’t, but that’s the best part of it all: he knows he doesn’t have to be. So when he does go above and beyond, it’s all the more impressive.
Blanton realizes his duty is to go as deep into games as possible, keeping the relief corps fresh for the stretch run. He is accomplishing that modest goal, but with flying colors recently. Behind Lee, and Cole Hamels, Joe the Bat is persevering as Steady Joe. There is really nothing more anyone can ask for.
15 Responses to “Joe Blanton: One Year Later”
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August 3rd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Go Joe!
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I like seeing the props for Blanton.
I was one of the few people on this site that thought he was a good pickup last year.
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Jon Heyman on WFAN today said that Roy Halladay was crushed that he wasnt traded to the Phillies. He said all the right things about staying in Toronto but he was already on the way to Philly. I am very happy with Lee but would of loved Halladay. I agree with Heyman on one thing as well. He said everyone thinks the reason they did not make this trade was Drabek. Not true..Money. Even though we spent money to keep our own here the Phillies are very very CHEAP he said. I agree Lee was the cheaper option for the cash.
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:27 pm
heavy b is the man, he was a great addition to the team!
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Just nitpicking, but I dont think Blanton was a 5 when we acquired him. At least, I thought Blanton more as a 3/4. Someone we could stick behind Hamels and Myers.
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I have been a Joe Blanton supporter since day one… but I’m a homer so that doesn’t say much. He was the opening day starter for the A’s last year… a team that breeds pitchers… so you knew that there was talent. Fortunately for us, things didn’t pan out for Joe in Oakland but Oakland is not always a place where guys “settle in” (see Holliday, Matt).
Jeff… I really don’t think that money was the issue. Rube said the right things and in retrospect he made a much better offer to acquire Halladay (than the one that it took to acquire Lee); Toronto turned it down. Look, Halladay didn’t get traded because the bar was set too high.
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
And Jeff, according to your logic, you can also argue that ALL other MLB teams were “very, very cheap” because in the end, Halladay wasn’t traded.
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:59 pm
k3v0 : Love the nickname Heavy B. I just stole it.
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:53 pm
I’m sick and tired of the “Phillies are cheap” argument. The Phils have a top 3 payroll in the NL. A recent survey measured the most expensive seats in each stadium and the Phillies had the 2nd cheapest in all of baseball (behind PIttsburgh).
So stop whining about the Phillies being cheap. Going to CBP is inexpensive and the Phillies put a great product on the field and have not let any of their young talent get away due to their high payroll.
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Great writing Joe! I couldn’t agree more with this assessment.
August 4th, 2009 at 7:22 am
Baseballbriefs.com tracking back Joe Blanton: One Year Later…
Baseballbriefs.com tracking back Joe Blanton: One Year Later…
August 4th, 2009 at 10:54 am
I’m a fan of any article that praises Joe Blanton. We all know he’s no ace but he’s been so consistent on a team that’s been consistently inconsistent all season. I think Phillies fans take him for granted. Joe’s been good to us. He works hard, eats innings, and is a focused pitcher.
I think he’s pitching better than a lot of people expected because he really is that good. He just needed to be in the right place to really shine. I’m hoping his great work isn’t overlooked by the powers that be and he stays in Philly. He’s been great for this team.
August 4th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
[...] 11. Joe Blanton: One year later. [Phillies Nation] [...]
August 4th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Love joe for what he is. A hard working pitcher in a hard working city. Blue collar, goes out there and tries to shut other teams down.
Not a ton of praise on a team of superstars and I like the fact he doesnt complain, etc.
Great article Pat.
August 6th, 2009 at 12:51 am
Gotta love Joe!! I love a pitcher who is ready to work. I love to watch him pitch a game. He throws a pitch and then doesn’t screw around getting ready for his next one. He positions for the next pitch quickly and works a steady pace….very professional….very workmanlike….and he delivers great results!!
They’ve gotta get Joe some run support! He kept them in position to win that game the other night, only giving up 2 runs.
Great job Joe!
Nice article!