Joe Blanton had a very nice 13-season career. I will always remember him most as being part of those amazing mid-2000’s Oakland rotations that included the likes of Tim Hudson, Barry Zito, Mark Mulder, Dan Haren, Rich Harden, and Kirk Saarloos. I got this autograph right after he was drafted, and is one of my favorite pieces and put him high on my list, to this day, of my favorite players.
Blanton was traded to the Phillies in 2008, and while he would be part of that World Series-winning squad, his starting career post-Oakland was hit and miss. Though he did have a nice late-career resurgence as a middle relief arm, putting up solid numbers with the Royals, Pirates, and Dodgers.
Blanton would retire following the 2017 season with a career 101-97 record, 4.38 ERA, 1.337 WHIP, and 95 ERA+.