Henry Blanco

Henry Ramón Blanco (born August 29, 1971 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball catcher and right-handed batter who plays in the National League for the Chicago Cubs. Basically a backup catcher most of his career, Blanco also played with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1997), Colorado Rockies (1999), Milwaukee Brewers (2000-2002), Atlanta Braves (2003) and Minnesota Twins (2004). Before the 2005 season, Blanco signed a two-year, US$2.7 million contract with the Cubs to be their backup catcher. After the 2006 season, Blanco renewed his contract for two years with a mutual option for 2009. Blanco is often is regarded as one of the better defensive catchers, making up for his weak hitting. He is a good handler of pitchers and game caller, and he is quick behind the plate and is good at knocking down pitches in the dirt, but his arm is what brought him to the major leagues. Throughout his career, he has thrown out more than 40 percent of opposing base stealers. In the batter's box, Blanco is a weak hitter, and usually bats at the bottom of the lineup. At 224 pounds, he is more valued for his occasional power and excellent defense. Blanco is a career .225 hitter with 49 home runs and 225 RBI in 666 games. His career batting average is lowest among active players with 1000 or more at-bats. In the 2006 Caribbean World Series, he had a walkoff hit off the top of the opposing shortstop's head in the championship game to give the Venezulan team the championship. He is a cult favorite among Cub fans, among whom he is often affectionately termed "Hank White".

Fact

• In the 2000 season Blanco was stellar throwing out 59 percent of attempted stealers. That was the highest percentage for a catcher since 1982, when California Angels' Bob Boone posted a 56.4 percent success rate.
• Blanco gets a $750,000 signing bonus and will receive $1.4 million in 2007 and $2.8 million in 2008. Also, the mutual option for 2009 is worth $3 million with a $300,000 buyout. His 2009 option will be guaranteed if Henry meets performance levels. If so the option might get as much as $4.5 million.

See also

• List of players from Venezuela in Major League Baseball
• Los Angeles Dodgers all-time roster
• Colorado Rockies all-time roster
• Milwaukee Brewers all-time roster
• Minnesota Twins all-time roster
• Chicago Cubs all-time roster

External links

• Hank White Fan Club - a fan site dedicated to Henry Blanco.
• Henry Blanco at:
  • ESPN - profile and daily updates
  • Baseball Reference - career statistics and analysis
  • Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers