The Phillies today signed steady righthanded pitcher Joe Blanton to a three-year extension worth $24 million. I've just caught the presser on Comcast (and MLBN).
Asked when he decided that Philadelphia would be a place to stay, Blanton replied that it happened in steps, starting with his first introduction to the team, which occurred at a Miami hotel after his trade from Oakland in 2008. He happened to arrive at the hotel, from Oakland, just as the team was coming in from a game and, he said, just about to man everyone came over, shook his hand, and gave him a welcome. That, he said, was something special. Then after three or four games he understood how good this team was, and it went from there.
Blanton talked about the family atmosphere (undeniable) of the Phillies and how much a part of it he and his wife felt. He also said that money and security are good but that winning is what makes a ballplayer happy. Players, he said, want to go where they can win. Philadelphia was just that kind of place and, for him, he was already there. Signing an extension was a no-brainer.
Ruben Amaro, Jr., quipped, "We paid him $24 million to say that." Everyone laughed and the presser ended. There was lots more, of course. Blanton, a quiet type, was almost loquacious with his answers. His baby daughter could be heard gurgling in the background. It was all very sweet. More to the point, Blanton has been a rock-solid competitor since coming over to the Phillies. For large parts of last season, he held the rotation together. Way to go, Joe!
With the signing, the Phillies now have four of their starting pitchers--Halladay, Hamels, Blanton, and Happ-- signed through 2012.
