Joe Blanton Philidelphia Phillies (7/6/2004)

What is your pitching philosophy?

Try to make good quality pitches, working ahead of hitters, trying to throw a lot of strikes, and not try to walk a whole lot of people.

Define your pitching in strengths?

I think control of my fastball is one of my big strengths. At times my curveball and slider have been real good pitches for me.

What would you call your out pitch?

My fastball usually, sometimes my curve or my slider depending on what team I am playing. Sometimes they hit sliders better than curves or vise versa. It depends on the team.

Do you pitch to your strengths or the batters weakness?

Both. I think both. I try to pitch to their weakness a little bit but I still think you have to stick with your strengths as well.

Do you approach them individually, or do you have a basic style for all the hitters?

It switches hitter to hitter that goes along with his weakness.

It seems that at times, guys with all the talent don’t seem to go as far as guys with lesser talent. Why is that?

I guess you see a little bit. It’s one of those things you can’t explain. You don’t know why it happens.

You think that first-round draft picks or high draft picks get more chances?

I would say it’s an advantage being one over being a lower round pick. Definitely it’s an advantage. I think whether you’re a first rounder or fiftieth rounder if you’re going out and doing your job and putting up good numbers, you’re going to advance along and you’ll eventually get a shot.

In Spring Training a lot of talented guys compete for your spot. How do you approach that situation?

Just do all that you can do. Don’t try to do too much, stay within yourself, and try to work as hard as you can.

Was there a time in your career that you wanted to give up baseball? How did you overcome that?

No, never.

Do you read the sports pages, or the scouting reports about you?

No.

How much does the chemistry in the clubhouse effect a team?

I think chemistry in the clubhouse could be real good if it is a bunch of guys that get along I think they tend to play real well on the field and they get a lot of good streaks going.

What are some of the things about pro sports you learned the hard way?

In college we had guys that came back that I played with and I’d ask them a lot of questions when I found out I had a chance to go to the next level. I was always trying to ask them questions about how it was so I could have that little advantage when you get there over someone who doesn’t know. I wasn’t surprised too much.

How you handle the fans’, the loud mouths, etc?

When I am pitching I don’t hear it so it is really not a factor.

How about the umpires, and especially the balls and strikes when you disagree?

Baseball is a very emotional game I think. You get times in a close game and there’s one big pitch. Sometimes they mess up just like we mess up. Sometimes really get caught up in the moment and you get fired up about a call or this or that, but you really have to remember that they’re trying to do their job just as hard as you are.

What is your opinion on knockdowns, brush backs and retaliation?

It’s part of the game, it always has been, and probably always will be. If the situation arises where you have to protect your team you definitely take it upon yourself to protect your team.

What are your thoughts on being traded?

Not really I just try to go out and do the best I can. If you get traded it happens. You just try to take that opportunity to the next place where your. While you’re here just do the best you can where you are.

What would you tell young kids in high school about pro baseball?

Do your best always. When you come in off the field and on the field just do the best you can and don’t try to overdo things. Don’t try to be somebody you’re not. That’s the best thing I could say.