Rumor has it
I probably used to pay a little more attention to it, but I
think my Dad -- his name's Joey -- keeps up with it more than I do. He's the one
who's always going on the Internet and seeing the rumors, and he's the one
who's always telling me what's out there. That's the extent of me being aware
of it these days, just hearing it through him.
Because I'm used to it by now, I've kind of learned the best way to deal with it -- or at least the best way for me. It's just one of those things that you acknowledge is out there, but you realize it's just a rumor, and rumors are usually nothing more. I don't know what the percentage is of trade rumors out there that actually happens, but I do know the percentage when it comes to me is zero up to now.
I'm not saying I don't acknowledge that it's possible I'll
get traded, but I just kind of ignore it. I've got a job to do for the Oakland
A's, and that's all that matters in my baseball life right now, doing the best
I can for the A's.
If there's anything good about hearing your name in rumors, or knowing that teams are talking about trying to get you, it's that it's always good to be wanted. If somebody wants you, you must be doing something right. My numbers so far haven't been real good, but I do think I've pitched better than the numbers, so I guess it's a positive that maybe other people in the game feel the same way.
In my past five games or so, I've had three really good ones,
and the ones that weren't good were the ones where I didn't control the damage, something I'm usually pretty good at. In Texas I gave up six runs in
six innings, and in Arizona I gave up eight runs in three innings. The other
three, I was pretty good, but those two starts in Texas and Arizona are pretty
much blowing my ERA out of the water right now.
Getting traded, like I said, isn't something I've put a lot of thought into, but it would be kind of a shock to the system because this is the only place I've known as a professional. You build a lot of good relationships when you're in one place for as long as I've been here. This is my seventh year in the organization. You go through so much with your teammates, and I have a lot of friends here.
Then again, I've talked to some of the guys who have left
here, and they got through it. It's not like it's the end of the world if you
do get traded. The game's the same. It doesn't change when you go somewhere
else. You're still out there pitching. Your surroundings are just different.
Hopefully, though, I'll stick around. I like this team a lot.
Rumors are a part of everyday life. Your living the life right now, being a part of a professional program. It's your job, your life. Go out and do the best that your capable of. Forget everything else, when you go out on the mound it's just like you was a kid in the back yard. All it is pitch and catch. Good luck.
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Big Joe, rumor or not it is always a pleasure to watch you throw the ball. You can't control what happens with a trade or not. Keep throwing strikes and what happens, let it happen. You are an incredible pitcher with a lot of talent and Billy would be loosing a valuable player if it were to happen. Keep it real.....Richard Pritchard
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Hey Joe,
Rumors, hey they are great they make for a great soap opera. Just like anything else that comes or has came your way Joe you are where your at because of the choices you have made with the god given talent you have. Positive people reap positive results. The greatest thing no matter how big the pressure or the game or the situation is you are living your dream. Just like Denis Quaid said in the movie when everything turned around for him he said today we get to play baseball. Go have fun your a great pitcher and a huge inspiration. Have a great rest of the season. Just a little quote from Vince Lambardi if you think you can or you cant your right.
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Big Joe,
I think Oakland knows what they would be giving up, make no mistake you are one of the best pitchers in either league. Your stuff is great and your head is on straight, I doubt there is a handful of ML Pitcher's with more knowledge and a bigger heart for the game of baseball. Guys like you are what still makes the game great.
B. Webb
BG KY
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COME TO BOSTON !!! WE'LL TAKE YA !!!
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Joe -
I wanted to be the 1st to welcome you to Philadelphia with open arms. We look forward to you taking the mound and bringing us closer to the post season again this year.
Thanks, Doug
phanatic74.wordpress.com
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Welcome to Philly, Joe! As a die-hard Phillies fan, I am very excited to have you hear. Please don't fear the stadium; only the pitchers that do actually have a problem with it! Hope you will come hang out around the town, and if you do so, I will be the first to buy you a cheesesteak!!!!
Frank, Northeast Philly
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joe-
i think you will definitely be a big upgrade to what we have and i look forward to seeing you pitch the remainder of the season.
-go phils.
-mike
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best of luck here in philly joe. our fans are tough but fair, they're just rabidly knowledgeable and starving for a championship. some reactions to the trade have been mixed so far, but i have a feeling that once you're out there giving it your all and going deep into games you'll win the fans over pretty quickly. just don't be too proud to sit under the tree of knowledge that is old man moyer.
plus, you go from the best hawaiian catcher in the game to the best hawaiian centerfielder- it'll be like home all over again. ~chris d
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Welcome Joe,
If you give this town your best shot, you will win over these very knowledgable fans. If you get booed don't take it to heart...case in point Pat Burrell...tough on #5 good part of last year. But Pat the Bat is playing with the best of em now . Aaron Rowand....will always be respected in Philly....because he gave it his all....and I'm sure he has nothing but good things to say about Philly. Relax , have fun, work hard, and you will love this town....I believe this squad wants to be Champions just as much as the fans..Glad to have you...you seem like you will be a good fit..judging from your bio...you work hard..no nonsense get the job done attitude...thats what this town is all about. There are no Prima-Donnas here...this group tries to pick one another up on a daily basis. Best of Luck Joe!
I see good things happening for Mr. Joe Blanton!
Invite your parents to a game at CBP when you pitch...they are gonna be excited for you! They will have a blast!
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Hey Joe! Welcome to Philly!!!!!!!! We Phillies fan are really looking forward to seeing you pitch for us! Just most importantly...have fun here. It's a great city to live in and a great city to play baseball in! and if we "boo" you, do not feel bad AT ALL! we have booed many many players in the past and they were all good! when Chase Utley came, his first game he hit a grand slam and then he struck out. what did we do? we booed him. so don't feel bad at all! =) Just go out there and do your thing!! Good luck in your first game pitching a Phillie and for the rest of your career in Philly!
- from a die-hard Phillies fan who is hoping you can help lead us to a championship this year =)
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I like your pitching,and your figure that wear A's uniform.
Good bye,Joe.I want to see your nice pitching
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Joe
Congrats on your first ring....slugger. --Two As fans. [
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