OAKLAND — A’s rookie Paul Blackburn has added about 25 pounds to his 6-foot-1 frame since his days as an ace pitcher for the Heritage High baseball team in Brentwood. A full, yet neatly trimmed beard has replaced the baby-faced look he sported just a few years ago.
Blackburn’s approach on the mound, though, has pretty much remained intact.
“He doesn’t look any different — other than he’s in a big league park in a big league uniform — than he did when he was here,” Heritage baseball coach Kevin Brannan said. “He’s still the same guy that’s going to go after (hitters).