NEW YORK YANKEES REFLECT ON THE PASSING OF FORMER PLAYER JOHNNY BLANCHARD

Former Yankee Johnny Blanchard passed away this morning at the age of 76 in Minnesota. Signed by the Yankees in 1951, Blanchard made his Major League debut with the club in 1955 at the age of 22. In total, he appeared in 454 games in pinstripes over eight Major League seasons (1955, ’59-65), batting .245 (260-for-1,063) with 34 doubles, 64 home runs and 187 RBI, seeing time as a catcher, first baseman and outfielder. He is one of four players in franchise history to hit a home run in four consecutive at-bats, accomplishing the feat over three games from July 21-26, 1961.



A member of five American League pennant-winning teams from 1960-64 with the Yankees, Blanchard played on World Series championship teams in 1961 and 1962. In five World Series, he batted .345 (10-for-29) with six runs, four doubles, two home runs and five RBI. During the 1961 Fall Classic vs. Cincinnati, he combined to go 4-for-10, including an eighth-inning game-tying solo homer in Game 3 and a two-run homer in the Game-5 Series clincher.





REFLECTIONS FROM TEAMMATES AND MANAGERS



“This is a sad day. Johnny was a good friend and a great teammate. He was proud of being a Yankee and always fun to be around. We’ll miss him.”

Yogi Berra (teammate 1955, ‘59-63, Manager 1964)



“He was a great guy. He loved people and did a lot for charity. I’ll never forget the year Yogi, Elston and Blanch all hit over 20 homers. He was a key member of that 1961 team and had two clutch homers for us against the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series. I remember we were both signed by the same scout, Joe McDermott. I felt a lot of pride knowing that. He will be missed.”

Moose Skowron (teammate, 1955, ‘59-62)



“He was a great teammate, friend and a true gentleman. He loved the game. Tony Kubek and I were just in New York and spent some time with Johnny. He was a great friend and I’ll miss him tremendously.”

Bobby Richardson (teammate, 1955, ‘59-65)



“Johnny was a funny guy and a great storyteller. He was always happy. Everyone loved him and loved being around him. He was one heck of a hitter, too.”

Bob Turley (teammate 1955, ‘59-62)



“Johnny was a true Yankee, there’s no doubt about that. Everyone liked him. He would do anything it took to help win a ballgame. He would catch, pinch-hit or go play the outfield if it meant the team had a better chance to win.”

Ralph Houk (Manager 1961-63)