very competent and sturdy backup for berra and howard behind the dish and swinging the bat while with the bombers.
Blanchard was a part of that great 1961 Yankee’s team, probably the second best team they ever fielded (after the 1927 version). He was a great catcher, but often overlooked because there were so many superstars on that team. He was supposed to be a back-up to Yogi Berra, but he was so good as a regular, they often moved Berra to the outfield so Blanchard could play.
RIP.
Johnny use to call on my Father-in-law who was a purchasing agent at a railroad. They became pretty good friends
Imagine that. The guy had two World Series rings and when he left baseball he had to get a job to support himself and his family. How the world has changed.