Cy Buker
Encyclopedia
Cyril Owen Buker was a Major League Baseball
pitcher
who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers
in 1945. The 26-year-old rookie
right-hander stood 5'11" and weighed 190 lbs. He was born in Greenwood, Wisconsin
.
Buker is one of many ballplayers who only appeared in the major league
s during World War II
. He made his major league debut in relief on May 17, 1945, against the Pittsburgh Pirates
at Ebbets Field
. His first major league win
came in his first start, on June 21, 1945, as the Dodgers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies
9-2 at Shibe Park. Izzy Leon
was the losing pitcher.
Season and career totals for 42 games include a 7-2 record, four games started
, 22 games finished
, five saves
, and an ERA
of 3.30 in 87.1 innings pitched
. Besides pitching well Buker could swing the bat, as he went 3-for-16 (.188) with a walk and two runs batted in.
Following his Brooklyn days, Buker eventually returned to his hometown where he compiled a successful coaching career, eventually being named to the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. His son, Tom, would later coach at the school, leading it to class C titles in boys' basketball and baseball in 1988. Cy Buker died on October 11, 2011, in Greenwood, Wisconsin.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in 1945. The 26-year-old rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
right-hander stood 5'11" and weighed 190 lbs. He was born in Greenwood, Wisconsin
Greenwood, Wisconsin
Greenwood is a city in Clark County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 1,079 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Greenwood is located at ....
.
Buker is one of many ballplayers who only appeared in the major league
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
s 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...
. He made his major league debut in relief on May 17, 1945, against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
at Ebbets Field
Ebbets Field
Ebbets Field was a Major League Baseball park located in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York, USA, on a city block which is now considered to be part of the Crown Heights neighborhood. It was the home of the Brooklyn Dodgers of the National League. It was also a venue for professional football...
. His first major league win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
came in his first start, on June 21, 1945, as the Dodgers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
9-2 at Shibe Park. Izzy Leon
Izzy Leon
Isidoro León Becerra was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1945. The 34-year-old rookie was a native of Cruces, Cuba....
was the losing pitcher.
Season and career totals for 42 games include a 7-2 record, four games started
Games started
In baseball statistics, games started indicates the number of games that a pitcher has started for his team. A pitcher is credited with starting the game if he faces the first opposing batter...
, 22 games finished
Games finished
In baseball statistics, a relief pitcher is credited with a game finished if he is the last pitcher to pitch for his team in a game. A starting pitcher is not credited with a GF for pitching a complete game...
, five saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
, and an ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 3.30 in 87.1 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
. Besides pitching well Buker could swing the bat, as he went 3-for-16 (.188) with a walk and two runs batted in.
Following his Brooklyn days, Buker eventually returned to his hometown where he compiled a successful coaching career, eventually being named to the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. His son, Tom, would later coach at the school, leading it to class C titles in boys' basketball and baseball in 1988. Cy Buker died on October 11, 2011, in Greenwood, Wisconsin.