Thursday, August 28, 2008

James Blake: Harvard man, Mets fan

So I learned two more things to like about James Blake.

First, that he went to Harvard. I had heard some of his interviews before and knew he was a bright guy. But listening to him in person for the first time today, I was definitely impressed by his honesty and intelligence.

Then my Newsday colleague, John Jeansonne, asked James whether he would be watching the Democratic National Convention tonight, on a big night for Barack Obama, another Harvard man. And now it all makes sense. They don't let dummies into Harvard (hence, I didn't bother applying)

The second thing I learned is that Blake is a Mets fan. He walked into Interview Room 1 sporting a gray cap with a white, Mets-style interlocking NY. One of the last questions he fielded concerned whether he felt extra pressure playing in a huge tournament in his home town, so close to Shea Stadium, home of his favorite ballclub.

"I see pressure as opportunity," Blake said, adding that feeling pressure means you're doing something people care about. Getting up from the podium a few moments later, he smiled when a reporter asked him what he thought about last night's come-from-behind 6-3 Mets win.

"Nice to see someone else's bullpen blow it for a change," Blake said.

I knew there was a lot to like about this guy.

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