For the most part, the Phillies five starter press conference was a relatively bland affair. These guys are pros at this stuff, all saying the right thing while adding little info we didn't already know about the quest for a World Series conversation. Aside from a few cringe-worthy questions about whether cheesesteaks had anything to do with Cliff Lee returning to Philadelphia or the group's thoughts on their awful nicknames, the presser was pretty standard. But there was one moment of unintentional awkwardness/comedy.
Reporter: "Cole, you're the only one at this table with a ring. Looking to the guys to your right..."
Cole Hamels: "Joe's got one."
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Blanton: "I know you forget about me, but it's okay."
And scene.
Man, Joe Blanton got battered around today like an Adam Eaton fastball. To the group's credit, and Cole Hamels specifically, the Four Aces repeatedly backed up Joe and included him in every conversation about the group. Blanton may not be of the same caliber as the other four, but never forget he's a WFC and will be a damn good number five starter.
Perhaps my other favorite moment from the day came when ESPN's Jayson Stark asked the group a question about being one of the greatest rotations of all time.
Cliff Lee fielded that one with ease, "We haven't thrown a single pitch as a group yet..."
It's been one day of Spring Training, lots of work to be done. Funner work, though.
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