Johnny Blanchard – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Johnny Blanchard found his own spot in baseball history as one of the most dependable backup players of the 1960s. He was born in Minneapolis in 1933. This versatile catcher and outfielder spent most of his career with the New York Yankees during their glory days in the early 1960s.

Blanchard hung up his cleats for good in 1965 after wrapping up his last games with the Milwaukee Braves. That capped off an 11-year career and two World Series championships. Earlier that year, the Yankees traded him to the Kansas City Athletics in May. That move pretty much signaled the final chapter for the veteran who’d helped five teams win American League pennants.

Let’s take a closer look at Blanchard’s path from a promising Minneapolis athlete to a World Series hero. We’ll dig into his early years, his major league debut, those championship seasons with the Yankees, and the trades that eventually led to his last season. His story gives us a glimpse into the life of a pro ballplayer making the most of his talent back when the Yankees dominated everything.

Early Life and Background

John Edwin Blanchard was born February 26, 1933, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Growing up in south Minneapolis shaped his athletic abilities, and his standout high school career in three sports drew the eyes of professional scouts from all over.

Family and Upbringing

Johnny Blanchard grew up in a house at East 25th Street and Fourth Avenue in south Minneapolis. That spot is now part of Interstate 35W.

His family included his half-brother Don, who was 10 years older than Johnny. Don played a huge part in Johnny’s early baseball days. When Johnny was just six, the two of them spent hours tossing the ball back and forth.

All that practice really paid off for Johnny later. By 11, his baseball skills were already something else. One summer, he broke 16 windows hitting home runs out of the playground and into a nearby apartment building.

When people asked what he and his friends did after smashing windows, Johnny would just laugh and say, “We would all take off running.”

The Blanchard family always backed Johnny’s sports dreams. They even let him transfer from DeLaSalle High School to Central High School when he thought the private school piled on too much homework.

High School and Amateur Athletics

Johnny started out at DeLaSalle High School, a private school on Nicollet Island in the Mississippi River. It was right across from downtown Minneapolis.

While he was there, he played football on a team that snagged a share of the state Catholic high school title. But those academic demands? A bit much for him. He asked his parents if he could switch to Central High School in his home district, and they said yes.

At Central, Johnny became a three-sport standout. He played basketball, football, and baseball—and really, he shined at all three. His basketball team even made it to the Minnesota High School Basketball Tournament as the Region Five pick during his sophomore year, though they lost in the state semifinals to St. Paul Humboldt.

Johnny’s teams won Minneapolis city championships in every sport he played. He earned all-conference honors in basketball, football, and baseball. Sports historian Dana X. Marshall once said, “Blanchard may have been the best three-sport athlete to ever come out of Minneapolis.”

Path to Professional Baseball

While at Central, Johnny caught the eye of a local scout for the Carroll, Iowa, semipro baseball team, which played in the Iowa State League. Johnny agreed to spend a summer playing for Carroll, earning $265 a month.

Because he was still an amateur, the team officially hired him as a groundskeeper to pay his salary. When someone asked years later how much actual groundskeeping he did, Johnny grinned and said, “I’ll never tell.”

He played all over the field for Carroll—outfield, third base, shortstop, pitcher. His performance helped lead the team to a state championship.

Johnny’s success in Iowa got the attention of major league scouts. By his senior year, scouts from 12 of the 16 big league teams came to watch him play.

The New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, and Chicago White Sox were especially interested. Yankees scout Joe McDermott, who’d already signed Bill Skowron and Bob Cerv, ended up landing Johnny.

The Yankees signed him for $30,000 and guaranteed $5,000 per year for the next five years. That was the biggest bonus any Twin Cities baseball player had ever received at the time.

Major League Baseball Debut and Rise

Johnny Blanchard’s journey to the majors started on September 25, 1955, when he debuted with the New York Yankees at age 22. He spent several years in the Yankees’ farm system before he finally locked down a regular spot with the team.

MLB Debut with New York Yankees

Blanchard made his big-league debut on September 25, 1955, against the Boston Red Sox. He went 0-for-3 in his first game.

Yankees scout Joe McDermott had signed him for $30,000, with a $5,000 yearly guarantee for five years. That was a record bonus for a Twin Cities player.

Blanchard earned his call-up after a strong 1955 season with the Binghamton Triplets, where he led the Eastern League with 34 home runs and 111 RBIs while catching 125 games.

The Yankees gave him a short stint in the majors, then sent him back to the minors for more seasoning. That taste of the big leagues gave him extra motivation for the years ahead.

Minor League Development

Blanchard’s minor league career kicked off in 1951 with the Kansas City Blues. He made an immediate impression, singling in his first pinch-hit appearance on July 4, 1951.

He had to step away from baseball for a two-year military stint from 1953 to 1954. He served in the U.S. Army and played ball with the 47th Regiment team in Germany.

After returning, Blanchard attended the Yankees’ advance school in 1955. He trained with future teammates like Tony Kubek, Bobby Richardson, and Johnny Kucks.

The Yankees switched him from infielder to catcher with help from Hall of Fame catcher Bill Dickey. That move gave him a better shot at making the majors, since Yogi Berra already held the starting catcher spot.

Transition to Major League Starter

After his 1955 debut, Blanchard spent more time in the minors before finally sticking with the Yankees in 1959. He became a valuable utility player, able to catch and play outfield.

His big break came as a backup catcher and pinch hitter. The Yankees loved his power and defensive versatility during their championship runs.

Blanchard’s rise happened right as the Yankees’ dynasty was peaking. He played in five World Series from 1960 to 1964, helping the team as a reliable reserve.

By 1960, he’d passed rookie limits and was a regular big leaguer. His path from bonus baby to key contributor really showed off how well the Yankees developed players during their golden years.

Career Highlights and Championships

Johnny Blanchard reached the peak of his career during the Yankees’ dominant run in the early 1960s. He won two World Series championships and set some pretty memorable records as a pinch hitter. In 1961, he hit four home runs in a row—a major league record he shares to this day.

Role in the New York Yankees Dynasty

Blanchard played as a backup catcher and outfielder for the Yankees from 1959 to 1965. He shared the field with legends like Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Elston Howard, and Whitey Ford during one of the Yankees’ most successful stretches.

The Yankees made it to five straight World Series from 1960 to 1964. Blanchard’s role as a third-string catcher became surprisingly important.

He had a knack for coming through in big moments. In 1961, Blanchard smacked 21 home runs in just 243 at-bats and hit .305. Only Mantle and Maris had better home run rates per at-bat on that team.

Key teammates during Yankees dynasty:

• Mickey Mantle
• Roger Maris
• Elston Howard
• Whitey Ford
• Tony Kubek

World Series Performances

Blanchard really shined in the postseason, hitting .345 with a .690 slugging percentage across five World Series. His most famous World Series moment came in 1961 against the Cincinnati Reds.

He belted a two-run pinch-hit homer in Game 3 of the 1961 World Series. Then, in Game 5, which he started, he hit another two-run homer.

His postseason heroics helped the Yankees win two World Series championships in 1961 and 1962. Blanchard hit four pinch-hit home runs during the 1961 regular season and added another in the World Series.

Because of his clutch hitting, people still remember him as one of the most famous third-string catchers in the game.

Famous Records and Achievements

Blanchard’s biggest claim to fame came in July 1961, when he hit four consecutive home runs in four straight at-bats. That tied a major league record that’s still standing.

His streak started at Fenway Park on July 21, 1961. Blanchard pinch-hit for Clete Boyer and launched a grand slam off Mike Fornieles to give the Yankees a 12-9 win over the Red Sox.

The next day, he pinch-hit for Boyer again and homered off Gene Conley to tie the game at 9-9. Two days later against the White Sox, he homered in back-to-back at-bats off Ray Herbert.

Career achievements:

• 4 consecutive home runs (tied MLB record)
• 2 World Series championships
• .345 batting average in World Series play
• 5 pinch-hit home runs in 1961 (4 regular season, 1 postseason)

Notable Teams and Trades

Johnny Blanchard’s career changed course in 1965 when the New York Yankees traded him to the Kansas City Athletics. That ended his decade in pinstripes. He split his final season between Kansas City and Milwaukee, finishing his major league career with the Braves.

Trade to Kansas City Athletics

The Yankees traded Blanchard to the Kansas City Athletics during the 1965 season. That move ended his long run with New York, where he’d been a backup catcher and outfielder behind stars like Yogi Berra and Elston Howard.

The trade gave Blanchard, then 32, a new opportunity. He’d spent most of his career in a reserve role with the Yankees, even though he flashed some good power.

Kansas City needed experienced players, and Blanchard hoped he’d get more regular playing time there. The Athletics were rebuilding, so it was a different vibe from the championship Yankees teams.

His time in Kansas City didn’t last long, but it marked his move away from the Yankees’ winning culture. The Athletics weren’t contenders, and Blanchard had to adjust to a whole new baseball world.

Time with Milwaukee Braves

After Kansas City, Blanchard joined the Milwaukee Braves later in 1965. He played just 10 games there before deciding to retire from pro baseball.

The Braves were his third and last major league team. At that time, Milwaukee was in a period of transition, soon moving to Atlanta.

Blanchard’s 10 games with the Braves brought his career totals to 516 games, a .239 batting average, 67 home runs, and 200 RBIs.

After his short stint in Milwaukee, Blanchard chose not to play in 1966. He did try to make a comeback in 1968, but it didn’t work out, so that was it for his professional baseball career.

Batting Performance and Playing Style

Johnny Blanchard finished with a .239 career batting average, 67 home runs, and 200 RBIs over 516 games in his 11-year major league run. As a lefty hitter, he produced solid power numbers, even with limited playing time as a backup.

Batting Average and Power Stats

Blanchard hit for a .239 career batting average, which kind of shows his role as a part-time player who often faced tough pitching. He picked up 285 hits in his time with the Yankees, Athletics, and Braves.

His power numbers really popped more than his average did. As a lefty, he could drive the ball even though he didn’t always get regular at-bats.

He played in 516 games from 1955 to 1965 and managed to score 137 runs along the way.

When Blanchard got a chance, his swing produced steady power. His approach at the plate fit perfectly for a pinch hitter or backup.

Home Runs and Clutch Hitting

Blanchard launched 67 home runs during his big league career, carving out a reputation as one of the era’s effective pinch hitters. His power made him a real threat in late-game spots.

He earned a name for himself as a clutch guy in the World Series. Blanchard came through under pressure, and both teammates and opponents noticed.

Given how often he sat on the bench, his home run total stands out. He could turn on a fastball and send it a long way.

As his time with the Yankees went on, his pinch-hitting legend only grew. Casey Stengel knew he could count on Blanchard’s power when it mattered.

Runs Batted In (RBI) Contributions

Blanchard knocked in 200 runs during his career, and he made those RBIs count when he got the chance. He could drive in runs when the team needed it most.

His RBI numbers show he got the job done with runners in scoring position. Blanchard delivered timely hits when it counted.

He helped out as a backup catcher and outfielder, driving in runs in big moments. Those 200 career RBIs came in fewer than 520 games.

Blanchard’s knack for knocking in runs played a part in the Yankees’ two World Series wins. His clutch hitting made him a go-to guy in big games.

Retirement and Legacy

Johnny Blanchard wrapped up his baseball career in 1965 after a string of trades, moving from the Kansas City Athletics to the Milwaukee Braves. That retirement closed out a pretty unique run, with two World Series rings and a well-earned reputation as one of baseball’s most reliable pinch hitters.

Retirement in 1965

Blanchard’s last season in 1965 was full of changes. The Yankees sent him to the Kansas City Athletics in a three-player deal earlier that year, but he didn’t stay in Kansas City for long.

The Milwaukee Braves bought his contract from the Athletics in September 1965. He played just 10 games with the Braves before his major league days ended.

He didn’t play pro ball in 1966 after the season wrapped up. In 1968, he tried to make a comeback, but it just didn’t work out. At 35, John Edwin Blanchard officially called it a career.

His stats: .239 batting average, 67 homers, and 200 RBIs in 516 games. He suited up for the Yankees, Athletics, and Braves.

Post-Baseball Life and Recognition

After retiring, Blanchard kept in touch with the baseball world but also explored other things. He often looked back fondly on his Yankees years, especially that 1961 team. “I was so lucky to have been a member of the best New York Yankee team ever,” he once said.

Blanchard stayed proud of his World Series performances. He won two World Series championships with the Yankees. That 1960 Series, even though the Yankees lost to Pittsburgh, was especially memorable for him.

After baseball, he settled in Minnesota. Born in Minneapolis on February 26, 1933, he moved back there after his playing days. John Edwin Blanchard passed away on March 25, 2009, at age 76 in Robbinsdale, Minnesota.

People still remember him as a versatile utility player who helped the Yankees during some of their best years.

Influence on Future Generations

Blanchard’s career really showed how much versatility matters in professional baseball. He switched from playing outfield to catching, and Hall of Fame catcher Bill Dickey helped him make that leap.

This kind of adaptability set an example for utility players who came after him.

He took on the job of pinch hitter and backup catcher, proving that specialized roles could make a big difference for championship teams. Blanchard played behind Yogi Berra and with other Yankees legends, showing everyone that supporting players mattered just as much as the stars.

People still talk about the 1960 World Series, especially the seventh game, where Blanchard was behind the plate. He drove in a run with a single in the eighth inning, tying him to one of baseball’s most unforgettable moments.

Johnny Blanchard’s story—from a Minneapolis high school athlete to a Yankees World Series champ—shows just how much dedication it took to make it in pro baseball back in the ’50s and ’60s.