Andres Blanco practices his swing each afternoon in a lonely batting cage. He lifts weights and stretches without the company of teammates. Blanco - the Phillies super utility player - is the first player to arrive at Citizens Bank Park, pulling into the empty ballpark nearly seven hours before each game.
Blanco left his native Venezuela 16 years ago with a $3,000 signing bonus. He is lauded for his work ethic and character. Blanco gets to the batting cage early so it will be open when the team's everyday players are ready to hit. Blanco hits the weight room first so the trainers can then focus their attention on the starting lineup.