neighbors / sports

East Valley firefighter, also a former MLB player, retires — again

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.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

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.

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