Johnny Blanchard, former N.Y. Yankee, dies

Johnny Blanchard, who played eight seasons in the major leagues and appeared in five World Series, died Wednesday at the age of 76.

Blanchard died of a heart attack, St. Paul Pioneer-Press columnist Charley Waters reported.

Blanchard played for the New York Yankees in 1955 and from 1959-65. He split his final major-league season between the Yankees, Kansas City Athletics and Milwaukee Braves.

He was with the Yankees in their heyday, appearing in the World Series each season from 1960-64. New York won two of those World Series, including in 1961 when Blanchard hit .400 overall and two home runs against the Cincinnati Reds.

Waters described Blanchard as a close friend of Yankees great Mickey Mantle.

Blanchard appeared in 516 games over his career, mostly as either an outfielder or catcher. He hit .239 with 67 home runs.

The Star Tribune newspaper in Minneapolis said Blanchard was a three-sport star at Minneapolis Center High School, playing basketball and football in addition to baseball.