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John Edwin Blanchard
New York Yankees
Catcher
Born: February 26, 1933, Minneapolis, MN
Signed: Signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent, July 3, 1951
Major League Teams: New York Yankees 1955, 1959-1965; Kansas City Athletics 1965; Milwaukee Braves 1965
Died: March 25, 2009, Robbinsdale, MN (age 76)
Called by sportswriter Bill Madden "probably the most famous third-string catcher in baseball history," Johnny Blanchard made his mark with the Yankees playing in five World Series in a row between 1960 and 1964. Blanchard appeared in one game in 1955 before waiting four more years to return to the majors in 1959. Playing behind regular Yankees catcher Yogi Berra (#470) and back-up Elston Howard (#450), Blanchard started two games for the team in 1959. That tally increased to 21 starts behind Howard and Berra in 1960, and Blanchard would be behind the plate when the Pirates' Bill Mazeroski (#95) hit his walk-off home run off Ralph Terry (#406) to dramatically win the 1960 World Series in Game 7. Blanchard assumed the role of second-string catcher in 1961, making 42 starts and playing in 93 games overall. He hit a career-high 21 home runs that season, including four in consecutive at-bats. Blanchard added two home runs in the 1961 World Series against the Reds. He'd continue his role as a key bench player for the Yankees over the next several seasons, ultimately playing in 15 World Series games and owning a .345 (10 for 29) average in the postseason.
Blanchard's Yankees career came to an end in 1965. He was dealt to the Athletics in May and then sold to the Braves in September, where he'd play in his final 10 big league games. Over 516 career games, Blanchard batted .239 with 67 home runs and an even 200 RBIs. He was a two-time World Series winner with the Yankees in 1961 and 1962.
Building the Set
December 4, 2021 from The Philly Show (Uncle Dick's Cards, Babylon, NY) - Card #391
You'll be seeing this particular passage on my 1965 Topps blog for quite some time as we added a whopping 97 cards to our set during the December Philadelphia Sports Collectors Show. If I'm ambitious and compose posts for five cards a week, I should be completely caught up by the end of May. If I'm not as ambitious, I might still be going through this stack by the time we hit July. Either way, I'll enjoy the process and I'm looking forward to taking my time. I've posted a complete summary of this fantastic show over at The Phillies Room.
The Card / Yankees Team Set
This is Blanchard's final Yankees card in a Topps set. The back of the card highlights his four consecutive home runs hit in 1961, along with mentioning his success as a pinch-hitter. Blanchard at one point held the record for World Series pinch-hit at-bats with 10, and his three World Series pinch-hits is tied for second all-time. Allen Craig had four pinch-hits for the Cardinals in the 2011 and 2013 World Series.
1965 Season
As mentioned above, Blanchard began the season with the Yankees but was traded to the Athletics on May 3rd with pitcher Rollie Sheldon (#254) for catcher Doc Edwards (#239). Then on September 9th he was sold to the Braves and he hit his final big league home run on September 25th against Giants' pitcher Bobby Bolin (#341). He'd briefly retire following the season, but attempt a few comebacks in subsequent years. In total, Blanchard appeared in 74 games in 1965, batting .183 with four home runs and 16 RBIs.
Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card: 1959 Topps #117
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (8): 1959-1966
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2003 Upper Deck Yankees Signature Series #47
62 - Blanchard non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 12/12/21.
Sources:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
SABR
The Trading Card Database
December 4, 2021 from The Philly Show (Uncle Dick's Cards, Babylon, NY) - Card #391
You'll be seeing this particular passage on my 1965 Topps blog for quite some time as we added a whopping 97 cards to our set during the December Philadelphia Sports Collectors Show. If I'm ambitious and compose posts for five cards a week, I should be completely caught up by the end of May. If I'm not as ambitious, I might still be going through this stack by the time we hit July. Either way, I'll enjoy the process and I'm looking forward to taking my time. I've posted a complete summary of this fantastic show over at The Phillies Room.
Looking to kill some time while we were waiting for our number to be called for Doug's autograph from Jim Thome, I found a bargain bin of 1965 Topps cards at Uncle Dick's and I texted Doug that I'd be standing at the table where the dealers were wearing neon green shirts. This Blanchard card was one of 15 from that first batch of purchases, totaling $40, and it was a little less than $3 after the dealer discount. After getting the Thome autograph, and grabbing a slice of pizza from the "food court" upstairs, I'd settle in at Uncle Dick's for my second and biggest haul of the show.
The Card / Yankees Team Set
This is Blanchard's final Yankees card in a Topps set. The back of the card highlights his four consecutive home runs hit in 1961, along with mentioning his success as a pinch-hitter. Blanchard at one point held the record for World Series pinch-hit at-bats with 10, and his three World Series pinch-hits is tied for second all-time. Allen Craig had four pinch-hits for the Cardinals in the 2011 and 2013 World Series.
1965 Season
As mentioned above, Blanchard began the season with the Yankees but was traded to the Athletics on May 3rd with pitcher Rollie Sheldon (#254) for catcher Doc Edwards (#239). Then on September 9th he was sold to the Braves and he hit his final big league home run on September 25th against Giants' pitcher Bobby Bolin (#341). He'd briefly retire following the season, but attempt a few comebacks in subsequent years. In total, Blanchard appeared in 74 games in 1965, batting .183 with four home runs and 16 RBIs.
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First Mainstream Card: 1959 Topps #117
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (8): 1959-1966
Most Recent Mainstream Card: 2003 Upper Deck Yankees Signature Series #47
62 - Blanchard non-parallel baseball cards in the Beckett online database as of 12/12/21.
Sources:
Baseball Reference
Beckett Database
SABR
The Trading Card Database
Wikipedia
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