Cy Block
Encyclopedia
Seymour "Cy" Block played for the Chicago Cubs
from 1942 to 1946 as a third baseman who hit .302 in 17 major league games. He was Jewish.http://books.google.com/books?id=Xcfef_d2es4C&pg=PA97&dq=%22cy+block%22+baseball++jewish&hl=en&ei=gU9HTqCoOJTegQeSg8DOBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=%22cy%20block%22%20baseball%20%20jewish&f=false
during World War II
, and didn't reappear in the major leagues until 1945 with the Cubs.
He appeared in two games during the 1945 season, and six games during the 1946 season.
He appeared in one game of the 1945 World Series
, which the Cubs lost to the Tigers. He entered the game as a pinch runner
, and did not record an official at-bat. In 1946, he played for Nashville of the Southern Association
. Block played with Buffalo of the International League
from 1948–1950 before retiring.
in April 1943. He was stationed at Ellis Island
, New York and discharged in September 1945.
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
from 1942 to 1946 as a third baseman who hit .302 in 17 major league games. He was Jewish.http://books.google.com/books?id=Xcfef_d2es4C&pg=PA97&dq=%22cy+block%22+baseball++jewish&hl=en&ei=gU9HTqCoOJTegQeSg8DOBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=%22cy%20block%22%20baseball%20%20jewish&f=false
Baseball career
He made his debut with the Cubs during the 1942 season, and hit .364 in 33 at-bats with four RBIs and two stolen bases. He then served in the Coast GuardCoast guard
A coast guard or coastguard is a national organization responsible for various services at sea. However the term implies widely different responsibilities in different countries, from being a heavily armed military force with customs and security duties to being a volunteer organization tasked with...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and didn't reappear in the major leagues until 1945 with the Cubs.
He appeared in two games during the 1945 season, and six games during the 1946 season.
He appeared in one game of the 1945 World Series
1945 World Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 3, 1945 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Michigan-Game 2:Thursday, October 4, 1945 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Michigan-Game 3:Friday, October 5, 1945 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Michigan...
, which the Cubs lost to the Tigers. He entered the game as a pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
, and did not record an official at-bat. In 1946, he played for Nashville of the Southern Association
Southern Association
The Southern Association was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class A , Class A1 and Class AA...
. Block played with Buffalo of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
from 1948–1950 before retiring.
Military
Block entered Service with the United States Coast GuardCoast guard
A coast guard or coastguard is a national organization responsible for various services at sea. However the term implies widely different responsibilities in different countries, from being a heavily armed military force with customs and security duties to being a volunteer organization tasked with...
in April 1943. He was stationed at Ellis Island
Ellis Island
Ellis Island in New York Harbor was the gateway for millions of immigrants to the United States. It was the nation's busiest immigrant inspection station from 1892 until 1954. The island was greatly expanded with landfill between 1892 and 1934. Before that, the much smaller original island was the...
, New York and discharged in September 1945.
Personal
In 1943, he married Harriet Block. Together they had three daughters, six grandchildren, and two great-grand children. He also authored a book, So You Want to be a Major Leaguer. He died from Alzheimer’s on September 22, 2004 in Manhasset, New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...