Wednesday Chat with Hank Blalock

This week, Dave Gilmartin catches up with new Premature Grays third baseman Hank Blalock.



FBT: Hank, thanks for taking the time to talk with us. I know it's been a hectic week.

HB: My pleasure, Dave. Yeah, it's been a little crazy.

FBT: For anyone who's been living under a rock, you were traded from Vinnies Pizzeria for starting pitcher Barry Zito. What, is it 2002 again?

HB: [laughing] I know, Dave, it was quite a shock. I could see being traded for a Roy Oswalt or a Pedro Martinez...but Barry Zito? When I heard the news, I thought [Vinnies Pizzeria GM] Josh was pulling my leg, or playing some kind of Purim prank on me or something. But I guess that's what happens when you forget to draft pitching.

FBT: Is it Purim season already?

HB: I have no idea what I'm talking about.

FBT: Oh, it's a lovely tradition celebrating the Jewish people's salvation from the evil forces of Persia.

HB: Huh.

[awkward silence]

FBT: All right, Hank. Let's crunch some numbers: 8 HRs, 33 RBIs, .345 BA, and a .414 OBP...not a bad couple of weeks.

HB: Yeah, I've been swinging a hot bat lately.

FBT: Last night, you went 3 for 4, with a Grand Slam thrown in for good measure. In a related story, Josh Aiello got ten minutes of sleep.

HB: I'm seeing the ball real well right now.

FBT: You seem to have made a seamless transition to your new surroundings.

HB: Well, it's tough going from a bad team to an even worse one --

FBT: -- much worse.

HB: Right, much worse. But we've got a young group of guys here, and we've got a chance to do something special if all the pieces fall into place.

FBT: Vinnies Pizzeria is known to operate under a very hands-on managerial philosophy, while The Premature Grays are a loose knit, almost rudderless bunch. It's almost as if Grays GM Chris Naughton has a life outside of fake baseball...have you felt the effects of this during your short tenure with the Grays?

HB: Oh, certainly. When you play for Vinnies Pizzeria, you're part of a long winning tradition and are held to a certain standard. It wasn't unusual for the owner to call at 4am, or for the general manager to trail my wife through a grocery store, keeping tabs on my diet. It can get inside your head if you let it, but that's why they're the defending champions.

FBT: And the Grays?

HB: It's night and day. As far as I can tell, management checks the lineup once in a while, but is otherwise off feeding a baby or something...I really have no idea.

FBT: One last question, Hank: How hard has it been making the transition from New York City, to Hoboken, NJ to play for the Grays?

HB: Hoboken's great, Dave. After four days of wandering around aimlessly, I finally found a place to get pizza, and rumor has it an ATM machine actually exists somewhere within the city limits. Once I figure that out, I should be all set. Except for the Guidos, obviously.

FBT: Hey, at least it's not Washington, DC, right?

HB: Exactly.