Chandler firefighter, former MLB player, retires — again
Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks
Blas Minor speaks at a Chandler City Council study session in April as his retirement from the Chandler Fire Department was acknowledged. Minor’s Major League Baseball career was followed by 25 years as a Chandler firefighter. On the left is Council member Jane Poston. On the right is Mayor Kevin Hartke.
The metaphors of baseball relief pitchers putting out fires will only be memories now.
Blas Minor, the Major League relief pitcher turned firefighter, retired this spring after 25 years of protecting life and property with the Chandler Fire Department.
When Mayor Kevin Hartke, Council member Jane Poston and the rest of the City Council acknowledged his retirement in late April, Minor said he became a firefighter because he lived in the city and wanted to stay.
“We feel like we can save everyone,” Minor said of being a first responder. “We always want to help, any way we can.”
After deciding to complete firefighter training, Minor’s career involved many roles with Chandler Fire, including some that involved community outreach. One of his more recent roles was as CFD’s main public information officer.
Photos and videos of Minor on social media show him doing everything from fire drills at senior facilities to documenting toy or supply drives to recognizing volunteers.
He offered to take a pie in the face for the Chandler Care Center during COVID-19 fundraising. On the more serious side, water safety is a huge part of Chandler Fire’s outreach, with Minor often part of campaigns.
Minor said he plans to take the next 12 months off and volunteer with the Hamilton High School baseball program. He has volunteered with HHS, off and on, for the past 14 years.
He said all three of his children have plans to get married within the next 11 months, so that will keep him busy, too.
The native of Merced, Calif., first came to the area to attend Arizona State University on a baseball scholarship. A lanky standout pitcher, he made it to the Major Leagues, coming up with the Pittsburgh Pirates and playing part or all of six seasons in the 1990s with the Pirates, the New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers and the Houston Astros.
But the relief he was able to provide as a first responder seemed to be even more fulfilling than striking out some of the National League’s toughest hitters.
“Serving my community, helping people during their most difficult times of their lives, and building relationships within the department and around the city have been the most rewarding aspects,” he said.
In 157 Major League appearances as a pitcher, all in relief, he averaged 7.36 strikeouts per 9 innings of the 225 total innings he pitched, according fangraphs.com.
“Playing baseball, I bounced from team to team,” Minor said. “Friendships were formed but hard to maintain. Working for Chandler Fire, I have been able to build and maintain friendships for the past 25 years.”
Family ties meant once professional baseball was over for Minor, Chandler would be his destination.
“Chandler has always been our home base,” Minor said of his family. “I didn’t start coaching at Hamilton until 2009 when my son decided baseball wasn’t for him.”
Minor said the mental and physical conditioning and in-game focus needed to get batters out is largely different from the dangerous, arduous situations faced by a firefighter.
“Both were challenging, mentally and physically,” Minor said. “Of course, the difference was firefighting could be deadly. The approach to both professions is similar, you train and get quality reps over and over.”
Minor said he embraces the saying “amateurs practice until they get it right, but professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong.”
Minor said one aspect pitching and firefighting have in common is preparedness and the value of lots of experience.
“Bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, 3-2 count on Barry Larkin. No problem, I have prepared myself for this situation,” Minor said. “2:30 a.m., alarm sounds for a reported working house fire. No problem, I have trained to risk a lot, within a structured plan, to save savable lives.”
Minor said one element first responders learn to look at is risk based on what or whom can be saved.
“I will risk a little, within a structured plan, to save savable property,” Minor said. “I will not risk anything, for that which is already lost.”
Minor responded lightheartedly when asked if any of the rap tracks he recorded are still available to be heard by the public.
“I have no musical talent, but one of our battalion chiefs has put out some stuff,” he said.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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