"John Blanchard's job with the Yankees is not an easy one! Following such catching stalwarts as Yogi Berra and Elston Howard limits his opportunities to catch, but the long ball hitter hopes to contribute to this year's Yankee pennant drive.
John doesn't care if he catches, plays the outfield or becomes Casey Stengel's No. 1 pinch hitter. He can do all three which increases his value to the Bombers.
He learned the catching trade from the Yankees' all-time great, Hall of Famer Bill Dickey. Blanchard won the Longines watch as the top rookie in the Yankee camp in 1958."
-The New York Yankees Official 1960 Yearbook
John Edwin Blanchard (C-OF) #38
Born February 26, 1933 in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he resides. Height: 6-1, weight: 204. Bats left, throws right. Married and father of one boy, Tim (9 months).
-The New York Yankees Official 1960 Yearbook
"Being third-string catcher behind Yogi Berra and Elston Howard is no enviable task, but that's the plight of Johnny Blanchard.
Now 27 years old, the Minneapolis native is entering his second full season with the New Yorkers. As a minor leaguer, Blanchard was a sensation. His power gave him two home run crowns- at Joplin in 1952 when he hit 30 and at Binghamton in 1955 when he found the range 34 times- and labeled him big league material. And with Denver, in 1958, he drove in 96 runs.
An Army veteran- 1953 and 1954- John can also play the outfield and may be used by the Yankees there this season in order to get his big bat into the lineup.
Last season- in 48 games- Blanchard hit a mere .169 and connected for only two home runs. But, like most ball players, he has to be in the lineup to be effective.
With most other teams Blanchard would be a first-string receiver."
-New York Yankees 1960 Yearbook (Jay Publishing Co.)
"John Blanchard waited for his opportunity and when it came this year he made the most of it. A strong minor league hitter, John served mostly in the bullpen in 1959. Illness and injuries to Berra and Howard gave him his shot this summer and he did a fine all-around job for the Yankees. His booming bat won several key mid-summer games."
-1960 World Series Official Souvenir Program
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