Quotable: Billy Beane on Joe Blanton

Hol-ee Kalas, I think I might jump out of my face. The WFC Phillies are going to play some baseball today. It'll  be the most meaningful meaningless game we've ever heard (tune in: 1PM on WPHT 1210 AM or WUBA 1480 AM), with Jamie Moyer scheduled to get the "start" and Hammerin' Joe Blanton taking the mound for the next few innings against the Buccos.

We could all write the book on the hero that is Mr. Moyer, but there's plenty more we could learn about Blanton. For instance, this quote that David Murphy dug up from Blanton's former GM Billy "Brad Pitt" Beane:

"You can see it on the mound," A's general manager Billy Beane said. "He's grinding his teeth to keep it in. Early on, it affected him a little bit, but, as he matured, he found a way to keep it under control. The guy's a warrior. He's an absolute and total warrior between the lines. He and Tim Hudson are the two best competitors, as far as pitchers, we've ever had."

Pretty glowing praise from a guy known for valuing statistical production above just about everything else. Like the rest of his 2008 teammates, Blanton has earned lifelong respect in this town. He hit a home run in the frickin World Series.

But we've yet to see him over the course of an entire season, something we'll get to do beginning this afternoon. A relatively strong season from Blanton could be one of the key components of another division title this year, as we saw in 2008, when his addition helped shore up a lost rotation. He wasn't perfect, but he was more than good enough down the stretch and in the playoffs.

In one start against the Pirates last year, Blanton one-hit them for seven innings, striking out seven. Am I making too much of what's likely to be a two-inning appearance today in the Grapefruit League? Oh you bet.

The Zo-han has today's starting lineup for the Phils. Can you believe it's here?

Comments

[jd]

superfuckingexcited

[MikeY]

1. J-Roll
2. The Flyin' Hawaiian
3. Ibanez (have yet to come up with a nickname for him)
4. Ry-Ho
5. The Ba...I mean, eh...Jenkins
6. Stairs
7. Donald
8. The Brunt
9. Coaster

God, I missed doing that.

[TK]

Anyone know what the spread is?

[Enrico]

TK, you degenerate fuck.

[Nerd]

It's "shore up" not "sure up."

[Kevin]

I'm pumped and ready to go. I'll be doing the live blog thing on my site.

Joe Blanton will go down in Phillies history for that home run in the World Series, but sometimes he is not given enough credit for wht he brought to the team. I feel very good having him for a full season.

[Walklett]

@ TK

Phillies: -120
Pirates: EVEN

You're only a degenerate if you lose.

[WeaponX20]

You know what Blanton brought to Philadelphia? Adam Eaton's long overdue departure...

[Loqiel]

Christ I feel like I just came home reading this thread. It's so good to be back.

[Matt P.]

@Nerd: You shore know your word-type... rules!

[Loqiel]

Raul Ibanez = Gomez

[PhiPhan5648]

My line up nicknames...

1. Batting first, and playing Shortstop, Nostradamus Rollins!

2. Battling second, and playing Centerfield, flyin like a hawaiian, and swinging like Ali, it's Sugar Shane Victorino!

3. Batting third, and playing Leftfield, Raul "Don't call me the Batt" Ibanez.

4. Battling cleanup, and playing Firstbase, Ryan "Here comes the Money" Howard!

5. Batting fifth, and playing Rightfield, Geoff "The Left Field Driver" Jenkins!

6. Batting sixth as the Designated Hitter, it's Matt Stairs's-way-to-heaven!

7. Batting seventh, and playing Secondbase, it's "I can't remember his first name" Donald!

8. Batting Eigth, and playing Thirdbase, it's Eric "The Beard" Bruntlet!

9. Batting Ninth, and playing Catcher, it's the 33 Year Old Rookie, Chris Coste!

...and the Phillies Starting Pitcher, it's Home Run Blanton!

[bigmyc]

Raul "the Jewel" Ibanez.