Johnny Blanchard

Positions: Pinch Hitter, Outfielder and Catcher
Bats: Left  •  Throws: Right 6-1, 193lb (185cm, 87kg)
Born: February 26, 1933 in Minneapolis, MN
Died: March 25, 2009  in Robbinsdale, MN
Buried: Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN
High School: Central HS (Minneapolis, MN)
Debut: September 25, 1955 (11,322nd in major league history) vs. BOS 3 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game: September 27, 1965 vs. HOU 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Full Name: John Edwin Blanchard
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject

Nine Players Who Debuted in 1955

Brooks Robinson
Roberto Clemente
Ken Boyer
Rocky Colavito
Clete Boyer
Elston Howard
Sandy Koufax
Jim Bunning
Bill Virdon

All-Time Teammate Team

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Notable Events and Chronology

SearchSearch Events, Dates and More Date (Newest)Title (A - Z)

July 21, 1961

Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris continue their assault on Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record

October 9, 1961

With the help of a pair of five-run innings at Crosley Field, the Yankees win the World Series, beating the Reds in Game 5, 13-5. Johnny Blanchard, a reserve player who will collect ten hits in 29 at-bats in five Fall Classics, hits two home runs and bats .400 en route to the Bronx Bombers’ 19th World Championship.

Biography

Blanchard savored his position as the Yankees’ third-string catcher for most of his career. A defensive liability, he nearly quit in 1960 when Casey Stengel considered activating 40-year-old bullpen coach Jim Hegan to back up Yogi Berra while Elston Howard was injured. Stengel reconsidered, and Blanchard responded in 1961 with adequate defense and a career-best .305, 21 HR season. Blanchard holds the record with ten World Series pinch-hitting appearances.

Factoids, Quotes, Milestones and Odd Facts

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