Blanco hit .292 (35-for-120) with three doubles, three home runs, 12 RBI and 15 runs scored in 58 games with the Chicago Cubs in 2008. He appeared in 45 games at catcher including 28 starts, throwing out nine of 21 (42.9%) would-be base stealers.

Originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent in 1989, Blanco has hit .227 (483-for-2,129) with 117 doubles, 10 triples, 52 home runs, 241 RBI and 214 runs scored in 746 games over parts of 11 Major League seasons with the Dodgers (1997), Colorado Rockies (1999), Milwaukee Brewers (2000-01), Atlanta Braves (2002-03), Minnesota Twins (2004), and Cubs (2005-08). He has thrown out 41.0 percent of would-be base stealers in his career which ranks third among active Major League catchers (minimum 450 games).