During Henry Blanco's four-year stint as Cubs backup catcher from 2005-08, I often thought he'd make a good coach for the team when he's done playing.
And now, it's happening!
Dbacks' coaching staff is taking a hit: Henry Blanco is leaving for Joe Maddon's staff in Chicago. He'll be Cubs' quality assurance coach.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) November 22, 2014
Blanco had been the Dbacks' bullpen catcher/de facto coach, and the team's only Spanish-speaker on staff.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) November 22, 2014
Of course, Blanco's ability to speak Spanish will be of great help to Joe Maddon and the rest of the staff.
I'm not exactly sure what a "quality assurance coach" does, but whatever it is, I'm certain that Blanco's presence will help both Spanish-speaking players on the Cubs as well as Cubs catchers -- that might be another reason they brought him in, to help out Welington Castillo.
Hank White returns! Good hire, Theo & Jed.