Posted: Sunday, November 1, 2009, 10:46 AM | 13 comments |
 

Blanton's college coach: Joe 'is a throwback'
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Hi folks.

I just wanted to share an email I received from Joe Blanton's college coach after his start against the Dodgers in the NLCS. Perhaps there is hope.

Sam,

I enjoyed your column about last night’s game and Joe Blanton’s “gutty” performance after 17 days in waiting.

I was Joe’s coach at the University of Kentucky. Joe’s dad was a sophomore catcher on my high school baseball team when I was a senior. Joe pitched three years for that same high school (Edmonson County HS) before transferring to Franklin-Simpson HS. He shattered most of my pitching records at ECHS. Another interesting thing about Joe, he has always been a Wildcat…..ECHS were Wildcats, Franklin-Simpson were also the Wildcats and, of course, the University of Kentucky were the Wildcats.

You were right about Joe, he is willing to serve any role that helps the team and he never complains. At UK, he was in the bullpen most of the time as a freshman. He had that fierce competitiveness even then as a 19 year old. Brandon Webb was in the rotation, then. He was never afraid of pressure situations. Of all of the pitchers I ever coached (14 of my former pitchers have pitched in the major leagues), Joe was the toughest guy to get the ball out of his hand when it came time to take him out. To be honest, there were times I left him in a bit too long just because I knew that it would be so hard to go out and get the ball from him! There was never a confrontation, but just a fierce desire to compete and the confidence in himself that he could get out of any jam. He was a fun guy to coach.

I am very proud of Joe, as you can tell. He’s not only a former player but also a “hometown” boy. You are very perceptive to recognize Joe’s desire to compete and help the team anyway possible. He is not a spoiled, soft, arrogant athlete. He is a throwback to the pitchers from the golden age of baseball. He always treats the people from “back home” with respect. He isn’t perfect (none of us are). He has a temper and can be very hard on himself when things don’t go well. But, he will not “show up” a teammate. Thanks for recognizing some of Joe’s attributes.

I hope that we all have the opportunity to see him on the hill in the Series!

Keith Madison

 

 
Posted by Sam Donnellon @ 10:46 AM  Permalink | 13 comments
13
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:48 PM, 11/01/2009
    Good stuff... Step up JOE!!!!
    — OppoJack
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:03 PM, 11/01/2009
    Let's hope Joe gives us something special tonight.
    — alanm721
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:03 PM, 11/01/2009
    Let's hope Joe gives us something special tonight. We need it.
    — alanm721
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:35 PM, 11/01/2009
    Joe deserves his shot. Good luck, Joe - we need you.
    — DMo
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:39 PM, 11/01/2009
    I like Blanton. He seems like a quiet, composed guy who just goes out and gives it his best effort for the team. REALLY pulling for ya tonight Joe, come on Phils get those bats going.
    — jmanship16
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:12 PM, 11/01/2009
    This guy owns game 4s. Yeah, I am excited to watch Joe battle the Yankees. I think he'll do fine.
    — jtj06
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:54 PM, 11/01/2009
    Yada " yada" He cant do Fine? Yea Right my Grandma can Hit This Bozo"". Ya know all of a suden cunky charlie is looking for a quick way out of his bad manageing blunders, lets say he dose get the SILLIES a win , all u cheese steak heads jumping back on the losers bad wagon wont help".
    — rambo49
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:46 PM, 11/01/2009
    GO JOE!!!
    — philsfansince1946
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:31 PM, 11/01/2009
    It will be tee up time...bullpen again will be used early..
    — BlueBlood
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:54 PM, 11/01/2009
    Hey Rambo- why don't you post post your bs on a blog for that team of Steroid junkies. loser. Learn how to use parentheses too. Maybe you should repeat 4th grade.
    — madnvocal
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:55 PM, 11/01/2009
    Joe's doing fine
    — clobal


13 comments
About Sam Donnellon
Donnellon's career began in Biddeford, Me., in 1981, and has included stops in Wilkes-Barre, Norfolk, and New York, where he worked as a national writer for the short-lived but highly acclaimed National Sports Daily. He has received state and national awards at each stop and since joining the Daily News in 1992 has been honored by the Associated Press Sports Editors, the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, the Associated Press Managing Editors of Pennsylvania and the Keystone Awards. He and his wife of 26 years have raised three fine children, none of whom are even the least bit impressed with the above. E-mail Sam at donnels@phillynews.com
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