Background
He was born in Bridgeport, Ohio.
He was born in Bridgeport, Ohio.
Listed at 6 ft (18 m), 195 lb (88 kg), Blatnik batted and threw right-handed. Known as a line-drive hitter and a strong-armed outfielder, Blatnik was the regular left fielder for the 1948 Phillies. He appeared in a career-high 121 games while batting.260 with 41 extra-base hits that season, and he also led the National League outfielders with nine assists.
However, injuries cut short his career, and Blatnik appeared in just 28 games over the next two years.
He was sent to the minor leagues by the Cardinals after only seven more games and 23 plate appearances. In a three-season Major League career, Blatnik was.253 hitter, with 113 hits, six home runs and 46 Reserve Bank of India in 138 games, including 59 runs, 27 double, eight triples, three stolen bases, and a.317 on-base percentage.
Blatnik died in Lansing, Ohio, at the age of 82 and was buried nearby in Holly Memorial Gardens.