Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
PEORIA, Ill. - Two years ago, Todd Blackford was worrying about prom and graduation.
These days Blackford is spending time in locker rooms with the likes of Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood and pitching to future Major League Baseball stars.
Blackford, a 2004 Triton High School graduate, is in his first season with the Peoria Cubs, Chicago's single-A minor league team.
Blackford is back in the area as he and his team took on the Fort Wayne Wizards earlier in the week and start a weekend series with the South Bend Silver Hawks tonight.
Blackford, a 6-foot, 4-inch right-hander, is scheduled to pitch for the Peoria Chiefs Monday at Coveleski Stadium.
Blackford originally was slated to start Sunday, but due to inclement weather, his start was pushed back a day.
While it would have seemed fitting for Blackford to pitch in front of his family on Mother's Day, the fact he's pursuing his life's passion for the team of his childhood is what's important.
It was his paternal grandmother Donna Blackford and her passion for the Cubs that rubbed off on Blackford and made him a lifelong Cubs fan.
"It's almost like a dream come true," said Blackford in a telephone conversation earlier this week of playing for the Cubs. "It's a great opportunity for me and my family."
Blackford started out his career as the 401st pick in the 2004 amateur draft. The Atlanta Braves, a franchise known for a history of developing great pitchers, drafted Blackford.
Last season, the Braves and Cubs reached a deal that sent Blackford to the Cubs for major-leaguer Todd Hollandsworth and another minor-leaguer.
"When I got traded, I didn't know what to think," said Blackford. "But I think it's a great thing for my career."
In his lone start for Peoria last season, Blackford earned a win as he pitched five innings, gave up just three hits and no runs.
This season Blackford has had his ups and downs at times. His record is 2-1 on the season with a plus-five earned run average.
Blackford had some control issues Tuesday night as he picked up his first loss of the season against the Wizards.
Of the 2,065 fans at Memorial Stadium that night, more than 100 hailed from Triton Trojan country.
"It's a little nerve-wracking when he struggles," said Blackford's mother Tina Blackford. "But it's just a thrill to see your child do something he loves to do. It's also great because he's got to meet some extraordinary people."
Blackford got a chance to meet a boyhood hero in Wood last Sunday as Wood made a rehab start with Peoria.
"He just sat in the locker room and we were just having fun and joking around," said Blackford of his meeting with Wood. "We didn't even talk about pitching or baseball. I didn't think about it until later on that night after the game. I was just sitting around trying to relax after the game and I thought, 'Man, two years ago I was in high school.' You just kind of look back and laugh."
As for the future, Blackford appears to be on a track to the major leagues with the Cubs.
Blackford has added velocity to his fastball, improved his execution and location and become more consistent. He's also added a change-up to his pitching repertoire.
His fastball is expected to increase in speed to 96 mph, which would put him on par with most pitchers in the majors.
"I'm not sure what their plan is for me," said Blackford of his future with the Cubs. "They told me they want to keep moving me up as quickly as possible."
And while Blackford's life as a minor league prospect has left him in a constant state of motion, this week he's had a chance to slow down and reconnect with his family.
Thursday night, Blackford was at home with his family in Tippecanoe to celebrate his dad Ken's 50th birthday, and Sunday he'll get a chance to spend time with his family for Mother's Day.
More than 300 tickets had been sold in the Triton area for Sunday's game.
So while it's Blackford behind the wheel on his road to a major league career, he's got a lot of people who are along for the ride.
Blackford and the Peoria Chiefs take on South Bend Monday at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available and range from $3 to $7.
For more information, visit www.silverhawks.com or www.peoriachiefs.com
