View source for Henry Blanco

{{short description|Venezuelan baseball player and coach (born 1971)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name        = Henry Blanco
| image       = Henry_Blanco_from_Nationals_vs._Braves_at_Nationals_Park,_April_6th,_2021_(All-Pro_Reels_Photography)_(51101619492)_(cropped).png
| caption     = Blanco with the Nationals in 2021
| team        = 
| number      = 
| position    = [[Catcher]] / [[Coach (sport)|Coach]]
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1971|8|29}}
| birth_place = [[Caracas]], [[Republic of Venezuela|Venezuela]]
| bats        = Right
| throws      = Right
|debutleague = MLB
| debutdate   = July 25
| debutyear   = 1997
| debutteam   = Los Angeles Dodgers
|finalleague = MLB
| finaldate   = September 23
| finalyear   = 2013
| finalteam   = Seattle Mariners
|statleague = MLB
| stat1label  = [[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
| stat1value  = .223
| stat2label  = [[Home run]]s
| stat2value  = 72
| stat3label  = [[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
| stat3value  = 298
| teams       = 
;As player
*[[Los Angeles Dodgers]] ({{mlby|1997}})
*[[Colorado Rockies]] ({{mlby|1999}})
*[[Milwaukee Brewers]] ({{mlby|2000}}–{{mlby|2001}})
*[[Atlanta Braves]] ({{mlby|2002}}–{{mlby|2003}})
*[[Minnesota Twins]] ({{mlby|2004}})
*[[Chicago Cubs]] ({{mlby|2005}}–{{mlby|2008}})
*[[San Diego Padres]] ({{mlby|2009}})
*[[New York Mets]] ({{mlby|2010}})
*[[Arizona Diamondbacks]] ({{mlby|2011}}–{{mlby|2012}})
*[[Toronto Blue Jays]] ({{mlby|2013}})
*[[Seattle Mariners]] ({{mlby|2013}})
;As coach
*[[Arizona Diamondbacks]] ({{mlby|2014}})
*[[Chicago Cubs]] ({{mlby|2015}}–{{mlby|2017}})
*[[Washington Nationals]] ({{mlby|2018}}–{{mlby|2025}})
| awards =
* 2× [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|2016}}, {{wsy|2019}})
}}

'''Henry Ramón Blanco''' (born August 29, 1971) is a [[Venezuelans|Venezuelan]] professional [[baseball]] coach and former [[catcher]].<ref name="Henry Blanco statistics">{{Cite web |title=Henry Blanco Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/blanche01.shtml |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He is currently the bench coach for the [[Washington Nationals]] of [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB). He played in MLB from 1997 to 2013, appearing for the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]], [[Colorado Rockies]], [[Milwaukee Brewers]], [[Atlanta Braves]], [[Minnesota Twins]], [[Chicago Cubs]], [[San Diego Padres]], [[New York Mets]], [[Arizona Diamondbacks]], [[Toronto Blue Jays]], and [[Seattle Mariners]]. He later served as quality assurance [[Coach (baseball)|coach]] for the Cubs. Although a light-[[Batting (baseball)|hitting]] player, he was regarded as one of the best defensive catchers of his era.<ref name="Sustaining A Long Career">{{Cite magazine |last=Doyle |first=Al |date=November 2002 |title=Sustaining A Long Career |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4i4DAAAAMBAJ&q=sustaining+a+long+career+by+al+doyle&pg=PA56 |access-date=January 23, 2011 |magazine=[[Baseball Digest]]}}{{Dead link|date=July 2024|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

==Professional career==
Blanco began his [[professional baseball]] career in [[1989 Los Angeles Dodgers season|1989]] when, he was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur [[free agent]].<ref name="Henry Blanco statistics" /> He didn't begin to play as a catcher until {{Baseball year|1995}}.<ref name="Sustaining A Long Career"/> After 7 years in the [[Minor league baseball|minor leagues]], he finally blossomed in {{Baseball year|1997}} when he hit for a .313 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] in 91 games for the [[Albuquerque Dukes]] of the [[Pacific Coast League]].<ref name="Henry Blanco minor league statistics">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=blanco001hen |title=Henry Blanco minor league statistics |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=23 January 2011 }}</ref> At the age of 25, Blanco made his major league debut with the Dodgers on July 25, [[1997 Los Angeles Dodgers season|1997]].<ref name="Henry Blanco statistics" /> He returned to play for Albuquerque in {{Baseball year|1998}} and was granted free agency in October of that year.<ref name="Henry Blanco statistics" />

In December 1998, Blanco signed a contract to play for the Colorado Rockies and won the starting catcher's role for the [[1999 Colorado Rockies season|1999]] season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/1999.shtml |title=1999 Colorado Rockies |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=24 January 2011 }}</ref> Hitting for a .232 batting average, he embellished his defensive credentials by leading [[National League (baseball)|National League]] catchers with 39 baserunners [[caught stealing]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1999-fielding-leaders.shtml |title=1999 National League Fielding Leaders |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=24 January 2011 }}</ref> In December 1999, he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers as part of a three-team trade.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=blanche01 |title=Henry Blanco Trades and Transactions |publisher=Baseball Almanac |access-date=24 January 2011 }}</ref> Blanco caught the majority of the Brewers' games in [[2000 Milwaukee Brewers season|2000]], posting a .236 batting average with 7 home runs, 31 runs batted in.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIL/2000.shtml |title=2000 Milwaukee Brewers |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=24 January 2011 }}</ref> He led National League catchers with a 58.2% baserunners caught stealing percentage, the highest percentage since {{Baseball year|1982}} when [[Bob Boone]] also had a 58.2% success rate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/caught_stealing_perc_leagues.shtml |title=Yearly League Leaders & Records for Caught Stealing Percentage |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=24 January 2011 }}</ref> His batting average fell to .210 in the [[2001 Milwaukee Brewers season|2001]] season and, in March [[2002 Atlanta Braves season|2002]], he was traded to the Atlanta Braves for [[Paul Bako]] and [[José Cabrera (baseball)|José Cabrera]].<ref name="Henry Blanco statistics" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Braves land Blanco, deal Bako, Cabrera |agency=Associated Press |work=The Fayetteville Observer |page=6 |date=21 March 2002 |access-date=10 January 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Rm05AAAAIBAJ&pg=867,18374405&dq=henry+blanco&hl=en}}</ref>

While Blanco served as a reserve catcher with the Braves working behind [[Javy Lopez]], he also became known as [[Greg Maddux]]' personal catcher, a role he inherited from fellow Venezuelan catcher, [[Eddie Pérez (baseball)|Eddie Pérez]].<ref name="Sustaining A Long Career"/> Although he only produced 22 [[runs batted in]], he had 5 game-winning RBIs and provided solid defense, helping the Braves win the [[National League Eastern Division]] title.<ref name="Maddux asks for $16 million">{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20030117&content_id=192378&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=null |title=Maddux asks for $16 million |publisher=mlb.mlb.com |access-date=24 January 2011 }}</ref> Blanco was the starting catcher for the Braves in Game 3 of the [[2002 National League Division Series]] and was a late-[[inning (baseball)|inning]] replacement in Game 5 as the Braves were defeated by the [[2002 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN200210050.shtml |title=2002 National League Division Series Game 3 box score |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=24 January 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ATL/ATL200210070.shtml |title=2002 National League Division Series Game 5 box score |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=24 January 2011 }}</ref> In January {{Baseball year|2003}}, Blanco signed a $1.3 million, one-year contract with the Braves.<ref name="Maddux asks for $16 million"/>
[[File:Henry Blanco 2009.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Blanco reacts after striking out in 2009, during his tenure with the San Diego Padres.]]
The Braves repeated as Eastern Division champions in [[2003 Atlanta Braves season|2003]] however, Blanco's batting average dropped to .199 and he was left off the post-season roster in favor of catcher [[Johnny Estrada]] as, the Braves lost to the [[2003 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] in the [[2003 National League Division Series]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Large crowds expected at Turner Field |agency=Associated Press |work=The Albany Herald |page=3 |date=30 September 2003 |access-date=10 January 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5h5EAAAAIBAJ&pg=5100,5079325&dq=henry+blanco&hl=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2003_NLDS2.shtml |title=2003 National League Division Series |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=24 January 2011 }}</ref> When the Braves assigned him to the Triple-A [[Richmond Braves]] at the end of the season, Blanco opted for free agency and, in December 2003, he signed a one-year, $750,000 contract to play for the Minnesota Twins.<ref>{{cite news |title=Twins sign ex-Brave Blanco |agency=Associated Press |work=Rome News-Tribune |page=2 |date=19 December 2003 |access-date=24 January 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q_ouAAAAIBAJ&pg=4257,827538&dq=henry+blanco&hl=en}}</ref>

Blanco became a valuable member of the Twins when rookie catcher [[Joe Mauer]] was injured early in the [[2004 Minnesota Twins season|2004]] season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Twins no longer interested in Blanco |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=24 November 2004 |access-date=24 January 2011 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1931314}}</ref> He was credited for helping the Twins pitching staff with his game-calling skills, guiding them to the lowest team earned run average in the league.<ref>{{cite news |title=Twins decline option on Guzman |work=mlb.com |date=15 October 2004 |access-date=24 January 2011 |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20041015&content_id=895741&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=null}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2004.shtml#teams_standard_pitching::7 |title=2004 American League Pitching Statistics |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=19 March 2011 }}</ref> Twins pitcher, [[Johan Santana]], gave Blanco credit for helping him win the {{Baseball year|2004}} American League [[Cy Young Award]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Back up Blanco is perfect catch for Mets |work=newsday.com |date=21 February 2010 |access-date=24 January 2011 |url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/backup-blanco-is-the-perfect-catch-for-mets-1.1773683}}</ref> He caught the majority of the Twins' games helping them to clinch the [[American League Central]] division title.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/2004.shtml |title=2004 Minnesota Twins |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=24 January 2011 }}</ref> Blanco posted career-highs with 10 [[home run]]s and 37 runs batted in, while leading the [[American League]] catchers with a 49.2% caught stealing percentage.<ref name="Henry Blanco statistics" /> He started all four games of the [[2004 American League Division Series]], hitting 1 home run along with a .250 batting average as the Twins lost to the [[2004 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2004_ALDS2.shtml |title=2004 American League Division Series |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=24 January 2011 }}</ref>

After failing to reach a contract agreement with the Twins after the {{Baseball year|2004}} season, Blanco opted for free agency again and, in December 2004 he signed a two-year, $2.7 million contract to play for the Chicago Cubs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Garciaparra sticking with Cubs |agency=Associated Press |work=USA Today |date=7 December 2004 |access-date=24 January 2011 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/cubs/2004-12-07-garciaparra-signs_x.htm?POE=SPOISVA}}</ref> He worked as a backup catcher to [[Michael Barrett (baseball)|Michael Barrett]] although, many of the Cubs pitchers preferred pitching to Blanco as his [[2005 Chicago Cubs season|2005]] [[Catcher's ERA|catcher's earned run average]] of 3.58 was almost 1 run lower than the 4.45 average posted by Barrett.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/blanche01-field.shtml#advanced_fielding_c::none |title=2005 Henry Blanco advanced fielding statistics |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=24 January 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/barremi01-field.shtml#advanced_fielding_c::none |title=2005 Michael Barrett advanced fielding statistics |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=24 January 2011 }}</ref>

In the [[2006 Caribbean Series]], Blanco had a walk off [[Double (baseball)|double]] off the top of the opposing [[shortstop]]'s head in the championship game to give the [[Leones del Caracas]] the series championship win over the [[Tigres del Licey]].<ref>{{cite news |title=The whole country celebrates together |agency=ESPN |work=ESPN.com |date=14 February 2006 |access-date=24 January 2011 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/worldclassic2006/columns/story?id=2323567}}</ref> In the [[2006 Chicago Cubs season|2006]] major league season, he hit for a .266 batting average with a career-high 37 runs batted in and, in November, signed a two-year contract for $5.25 million to remain with the Cubs.<ref name="Henry Blanco statistics" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061115&content_id=1740928&vkey=hotstove2006&fext=.jsp |title=Blanco renews deal to stay in Chicago |publisher=mlb.mlb.com |access-date=24 January 2011 }}</ref> Blanco appeared in only 22 games for the Cubs in [[2007 Chicago Cubs season|2007]], missing two months of the season due to a [[herniated disc]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Cubs place Blanco on DL |agency=United Press International |work=UPI.com |date=2 June 2007 |access-date=24 January 2011 |url=http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2007/06/02/Cubs-place-Blanco-on-DL/UPI-39881180816378/}}</ref> The Cubs went on to win the [[National League Central]] division although, Blanco did not appear in any post-season games. In [[2008 Chicago Cubs season|2008]], Blanco hit a career-high .292 while serving as backup and mentor to rookie catcher [[Geovany Soto]], who went on to win the {{Baseball year|2008}} National League [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year Award]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_2008.shtml#NLroy |title=2008 National League Rookie of the Year Award voting |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=24 January 2011 }}</ref>

After the 2008 season, Blanco's option was declined making him a free agent. In January [[2009 San Diego Padres season|2009]], he signed a $750,000, one-year contract to play for the San Diego Padres.<ref>{{cite news |title=Padres, Henry Blanco agree to $750K, 1-year deal |agency=Associated Press |work=USA Today |date=21 January 2009 |access-date=24 January 2011 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/2009-01-21-1615665443_x.htm}}</ref> During the 2009 season, he was a [[pinch-hitter]], late-inning defensive replacement, and a mentor for Padres starting catcher [[Nick Hundley]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090121&content_id=3761810&vkey=pr_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310081027/http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090121&content_id=3761810&vkey=pr_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 10, 2012 |title=Padres agree to terms on a one-year contract with catcher Henry Blanco |work=mlb.com |access-date=24 January 2011 }}</ref> Blanco signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the [[New York Mets]] on December 3, 2009. On May 8, [[2010 New York Mets season|2010]], Blanco hit a [[walk-off home run]] to help the Mets defeat the [[2010 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]] 5–4.<ref>{{cite news |title=Platoon paying dividends for Mets |agency=Associated Press |work=USA Today |date=8 May 2010 |access-date=24 January 2011 |url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5174072}}</ref>

Blanco signed a one-year contract on December 15, 2010, with the [[2011 Arizona Diamondbacks season|Arizona Diamondbacks]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5926482&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines |title=D-Backs reportedly add depth to team |date=December 16, 2010 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=January 24, 2011 }}</ref> He played in 37&nbsp;games, hitting .250 and was re-signed following the season. He played in 21&nbsp;games in the 2012 season.

Blanco signed a non-guaranteed contract on January 11, 2013, with the [[Toronto Blue Jays]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130111&content_id=40933724&vkey=pr_tor&c_id=tor|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123231456/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130111&content_id=40933724&vkey=pr_tor&c_id=tor|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 23, 2013|title=Blue Jays sign Blanco|work=MLB.com|date=January 11, 2013|access-date=June 14, 2013}}</ref> Blanco made the opening day roster for Toronto as the [[Battery (baseball)|batterymate]] to recently acquired 2012 [[NL Cy Young]] winner [[R. A. Dickey]]. Blanco and Dickey previously played together for the New York Mets during the 2010 season, and Dickey had said Blanco was "the best [Dickey's] had seen at catching the knuckleball".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2013/1/16/3883112/would-you-rather-have-henry-blanco-or-josh-thole|title=Would you rather have Henry Blanco or Josh Thole?|last=Dakers|first=Tom|publisher=BlueBirdBanter.com|date=January 16, 2013|access-date=June 14, 2013}}</ref> Blanco was designated for assignment on June 7, 2013,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=424939|title=Blue Jays designate Blanco; recall Thole, LaRoche|publisher=TSN.ca|date=June 7, 2013|access-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref> and released on June 10. He batted .184 with the Blue Jays in 15&nbsp;games played, with no home runs or RBI.

[[File:Henry_Blanco_on_August_4,_2013.jpg|thumb|Blanco with the Seattle Mariners in 2013]]
Blanco was signed by the [[Seattle Mariners]] on June 14, 2013, to be a mentor to [[Mike Zunino]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.king5.com/sports/mariners/Mariners-sign-catcher-Blanco--211600271.html|title=Mariners sign catcher Blanco; DFA Shoppach|work=KING 5 Sports|date=June 14, 2013|access-date=June 14, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214021132/http://www.king5.com/sports/mariners/Mariners-sign-catcher-Blanco--211600271.html|archive-date=December 14, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In Blanco's first game with the Mariners on June 15 (against the [[Oakland Athletics]]), he hit a [[Grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] down the left field line.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/grand-slam-by-henry-blanco-backs-felix-hernandez-s-third-straight-win-mariners-beat-a-s-4-0-1.322991 |title=Grand slam by Henry Blanco backs Felix Hernandez's third straight win, Mariners beat A's 4-0 |first=Janie |last=McCauley |agency=Associated Press |date=June 15, 2013 |access-date=June 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619035619/http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/grand-slam-by-henry-blanco-backs-felix-hernandez-s-third-straight-win-mariners-beat-a-s-4-0-1.322991 |archive-date=June 19, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> On July 25, Zunino broke his left hand, and Blanco began splitting the catching duties with recently signed [[Humberto Quintero]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130726&content_id=54845976&notebook_id=54846464&vkey=notebook_sea&c_id=sea |title=Zunino placed on DL, to have surgery |work=Mariners.com |first=Greg |last=Johns |date=July 26, 2013}}</ref> On August 1, 2013, Blanco hit his second [[Grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] since becoming a Mariner. This one also down the left field line, against the [[Boston Red Sox]] starting pitcher [[Ryan Dempster]] which gave the Mariners a 7–1 lead, but the bullpen allowed seven runs in the final two innings in an 8–7 loss.

In 35&nbsp;games with the Mariners, Blanco hit .125/.215/.240 with 3&nbsp;HR and 14 RBI, while throwing out 6 of 16 would-be base stealers. He played in his final major league game on September 23, 2013, at the age of 41.<ref name="Henry Blanco statistics" /> He was designated for assignment on October 8, 2013, after the Mariners claimed outfield prospect Travis Witherspoon off waivers from the [[Los Angeles Angels]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/mariners/2013/10/08/mariners-do-some-housecleaning-part-ways-with-henry-blanco/ |title=Mariners do some housecleaning, part ways with Henry Blanco |work=The Seattle Times |first=Geoff |last=Baker |date=October 8, 2013}}</ref> He elected free agency the next day.

==Career statistics==
In a sixteen-year major league career, Blanco played in 971 [[Games played|games]], accumulating 615 [[Hit (baseball)|hits]] in 2,761 [[at bats]] for a .223 career batting average along with 72 home runs, 298 runs batted in and an [[on-base percentage]] of .288. Blanco's .994 career [[fielding percentage]] ranks 27th all-time among major league catchers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/fielding_perc_c_career.shtml |title=Career Leaders & Records for Fielding Percentage as Catcher |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 3, 2013 }}</ref> Although he was a light-hitter, Blanco had an extended major league career due to the value of his excellent defensive abilities.<ref name="Sustaining A Long Career"/> He has credited former catcher [[Mike Scioscia]], who was the catching coordinator during his time with the Dodgers, with helping him develop his catching skills.<ref>{{cite news |title=There's No E in Blanco, Even After Two Years |work=The New York Times |date=July 23, 2010 |access-date=February 16, 2011 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/24/sports/baseball/24citifield.html}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
===Arizona Diamondbacks===
Blanco signed a minor league contract, that included an invitation to spring training, with the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] on December 13, 2013.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/d-backs-signed-daniel-hudson-and-henry-blanco-to-minor-league-deals?ymd=20131213&content_id=64664352&vkey=news_mlb|title=D-Backs sign Hudson, Blanco to Minor League deals|last=Gilbert|first=Steve|work=MLB.com|date=December 13, 2013|access-date=December 18, 2013}}</ref> He was released on March 31, 2014, and immediately re-joined the Diamondbacks as a [[Coach (baseball)|coach]].<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140331&content_id=70534652&vkey=pr_ari&c_id=ari|title=Blanco released from Minor League contract; joins D-backs coaching staff|work=MLB.com|date=March 31, 2014|access-date=April 1, 2014}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> 

===Chicago Cubs===
On November 22, 2014, Blanco was hired by the [[Chicago Cubs]] to be their quality assurance coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-henry-blanco-fills-cubs-coaching-vacancy-20141122-story.html|title=Henry Blanco fills Cubs' coaching vacancy|last=Sullivan|first=Paul|work=chicagotribune.com|date=November 22, 2014|access-date=November 22, 2014}}</ref> He won the [[2016 World Series]] with the Cubs as a coach. 

===Washington Nationals===
After three seasons as a Chicago coach, Blanco joined former Cubs bench coach [[Dave Martinez]] on the staff of the [[Washington Nationals]] as the team's bullpen coach. His hiring was announced November 15, 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.masnsports.com/nationals-pastime/2017/11/nats-new-staff-complete-with-hiring-of-blanco-as-bullpen-coach.html|agency=MASN Sports|title=Nats' new staff complete with hiring of Blanco as bullpen coach|first=Mark|last=Zuckerman|date=November 15, 2017|access-date=November 15, 2017}}</ref> On November 4, 2021, Blanco was transitioned to the role of catching and strategy coach.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/11/03/nationals-coaching-staff-2022-season/ |title=Nationals unveil 2022 coaching staff |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2021-11-03 |accessdate=2022-06-11}}</ref>

Blanco made his managerial debut with the [[Bravos de Margarita]] club of the [[Venezuelan Professional Baseball League|Venezuelan League]] in the 2014–2015 season.<ref>[http://www.bravosdemargarita.com/noticias.php?codnotc=5211 Bravos de Margarita Official Website] (Spanish)</ref>

On July 9, 2025, Blanco was promoted to the role of bench coach, following the firing of Martinez, which prompted the incumbent [[Miguel Cairo]] to be promoted to interim manager.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nationals Name Henry Blanco Bench Coach|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/07/nationals-name-henry-blanco-bench-coach.html|access-date=July 8, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref> He was let go following the 2025 season.
==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball|Venezuela}}
* [[List of Major League Baseball players from Venezuela]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Henry Blanco}}
{{Baseballstats |mlb=111072 |espn=3701 |br=b/blanche01 |fangraphs=81 |brm=blanco001hen}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{succession box|before=[[Dan Firova]]|title=[[Washington Nationals]] bullpen coach|years=2018–2021|after=[[Ricky Bones]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Venezuela roster 2006 World Baseball Classic}}
{{Venezuela roster 2009 World Baseball Classic}}
{{Venezuela roster 2017 World Baseball Classic}}
{{2016 Chicago Cubs}}
{{2019 Washington Nationals}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blanco, Henry}}
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Albuquerque Dukes players]]
[[Category:Arizona Diamondbacks coaches]]
[[Category:Arizona Diamondbacks players]]
[[Category:Atlanta Braves players]]
[[Category:Bakersfield Dodgers players]]
[[Category:Bravos de Margarita players]]
[[Category:21st-century Venezuelan sportsmen]]
[[Category:Chicago Cubs coaches]]
[[Category:Chicago Cubs players]]
[[Category:Colorado Rockies players]]
[[Category:Colorado Springs Sky Sox players]]
[[Category:Great Falls Dodgers players]]
[[Category:Gulf Coast Dodgers players]]
[[Category:Indianapolis Indians players]]
[[Category:Iowa Cubs players]]
[[Category:Leones del Caracas players]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Dodgers players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball bullpen coaches]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball catchers]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players from Venezuela]]
[[Category:20th-century Venezuelan sportsmen]]
[[Category:Milwaukee Brewers players]]
[[Category:Minnesota Twins players]]
[[Category:Minor league baseball managers]]
[[Category:New York Mets players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Caracas]]
[[Category:Peoria Chiefs players]]
[[Category:San Antonio Missions players]]
[[Category:San Bernardino Stampede players]]
[[Category:San Diego Padres players]]
[[Category:Seattle Mariners players]]
[[Category:Toronto Blue Jays players]]
[[Category:Vero Beach Dodgers players]]
[[Category:Venezuelan baseball coaches]]
[[Category:Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in Canada]]
[[Category:Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in the United States]]
[[Category:Washington Nationals coaches]]
[[Category:World Baseball Classic players of Venezuela]]
[[Category:2006 World Baseball Classic players]]
[[Category:2009 World Baseball Classic players]]