Johnny Blanchard
From BR Bullpen
John Edwin Blanchard
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 198 lb.
- Debut September 25, 1955
- Final Game September 27, 1965
- Born February 26, 1933 in Minneapolis, MN USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Johnny Blanchard was a three sport All-City whiz at Central High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he not only attracted the attention of major league scouts as a third baseman but also the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBA who made him an offer.
In 1951 Blanchard was signed by Yankee scout Joe McDermott for $20,000 as an outfielder. While in the Yankee organization, he made the transition as a catcher. "I had to work my fanny off," said Blanchard. "I was not talented like Yogi or Elston. I think I got all the mileage I could out of my ability."
Blanchard served in the United States Military Service during the Korean Conflict in 1953 and 1954 but when he was released from duty he was back in spring training in 1955.
After leading the Eastern League with 34 homers in 1955 playing for the Binghamton Triplets, he received a late season call-up to the Yankees. He returned for good in 1959 and stayed in the Bronx until he was sent to the Kansas City Athletics during the 1965 season.
The lefty swinging Yankee loved Fenway Park. Of his first six hits at Fenway, five were homers. On July 21, 1961, the Yankees trailed the Red Sox 9-8 going into the top of the ninth when Blanchard, pinch-hitting for Clete Boyer, hit a grand slam off Boston right-hander Mike Fornieles giving the Bombers a 12-9 victory. The following day, the Yanks were again down 9-8 when Blanchard, pinch-hitting again for Boyer, homered off Gene Conley to tie the score as the Yanks went on to win.
A couple of days later against the White Sox he homered in consecutive at-bats against Ray Herbert. His four home runs on four straight at-bats tied a major league record.
During the Yankees' storied 1961 season he stroked 21 homers in only 143 at-bats and hit .305. He continued his clutch hitting in the '61 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds with a two run pinch homer in game three and another two run shot in the fifth and final game, a contest he started.
Overall he appeared in the Fall Classic five years, (1960-1964) and batted .345, slugged at .690 with two homers.
But Blanchard's days as a Yankee were to come to an end in early May of the 1965 season. Following an exibition game against the Mets, he was called into manager Johnny Keane's office and was given the news he had been traded to Kansas City.
John took the news hard. He cried uncontrollably in the Yankee clubhouse. Mickey Mantle sat down next to Blanchard and attempted to cheer him up. "Don't take it so hard, John. Just think, in Kansas City you're going to get a chance to play." "Hell, I can't play Mick, thats why I'm crying." But Blanchard could play especially on July 21, 22, 1961 when his bat was lit by lightning!
After appearing in 52 games with the A's he was purchased by the Milwaukee Braves with whom he played the last ten games of his career. Three years later , he unsucessfully tried to make a comeback with the Atlanta Braves. Overall he hit .239 with 67 home runs and 200 RBIs.
Blanchard's heavy drinking made it difficult to cope with the real world after baseball. Aware that he had a problem he checked himself into the Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis for 34 days for alcohol treatment. He has been dry for over 25 years.
Blanchard, who lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota, worked in real estate and auto sales before becoming a salesman for a firm that that produces heavy duty cranes used for the laying of railroad tracks. He also works for a company called Park Press selling multi-colored printing. Also as of this date (November 2008) John is available through Lerner Sports Marketing for fundraisers and motivational speaking.
Career Batting Statistics
| League | G | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | AVG | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minors | 694 | 2,481 | 708 | 115 | 19 | 122 | .282 | .503 |
| Majors | 516 | 1,193 | 285 | 36 | 2 | 67 | .239 | .441 |
| Total | 1,210 | 3,674 | 993 | 151 | 21 | 189 | .265 | .472 |
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1961)
- Won two World Series with the New York Yankees (1961 & 1962)
[edit] Sources
Baseball-Reference.com
Baseball Players of the 1950s
SABR MILB Database:page
