Johnny Van Cuyk
Encyclopedia
John Henry Van Cuyk was a relief pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played from through for the Brooklyn Dodgers
. Listed at 6' 1", 190 lb., he batted and threw left-handed
. His younger brother, Chris Van Cuyk
, also pitched in the majors.
A native of Little Chute, Wisconsin
, to Henry and Anna Van Cuyk, he grew up in the close village of Kimberly
, where he attended school. He started his professional career in 1940 with Class-D Appleton Papermakers
, playing for them in part of two seasons before serving stateside in the United States Army
during World War II
from 1941 to 1945.
Van Cuyk entered the majors in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, pitching in seven games for them in part of three seasons. He posted a 5.53 earned run average
and did not have a decision or save
, allowing seven runs
(six earned) on four hits
while walking three and striking out
three in 10.1 innings of work
. He also saw time at the minor league level with the Montreal Royals
(1946), St. Paul Saints
(1947-'49) and Oakland Oaks
(1950-'51), combining to go 77-68 with a 4.00 ERA in 330 pitching appearances (114 starts
) during a 10-year career.
Following his baseball career, Van Cuyk went into real estate and car sales. He was a long time resident of Rochester, Minnesota
, where he died eight days after his 89th birthday.
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
in Major League Baseball
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...
who played from through 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...
. Listed at 6' 1", 190 lb., he batted and threw left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
. His younger brother, Chris Van Cuyk
Chris Van Cuyk
Christian Gerald Van Cuyk was a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher...
, also pitched in the majors.
A native of Little Chute, Wisconsin
Little Chute, Wisconsin
Little Chute is a village in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 10,476 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Little Chute is located at ....
, to Henry and Anna Van Cuyk, he grew up in the close village of Kimberly
Kimberly, Wisconsin
Kimberly is a village in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 6,146 at the 2000 census.-History:Kimberly was founded in 1889 and was named after John A...
, where he attended school. He started his professional career in 1940 with Class-D Appleton Papermakers
Appleton Papermakers
The Appleton Papermakers were a minor league baseball team located in Appleton, Wisconsin. The team was part of the Wisconsin State League.-Affiliations:The Papermakers were affiliated with the following major league baseball teams:...
, playing for them in part of two seasons before serving stateside in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
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...
from 1941 to 1945.
Van Cuyk entered the majors in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, pitching in seven games for them in part of three seasons. He posted a 5.53 earned run average
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...
and did not have a decision or save
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...
, allowing seven runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
(six earned) on four hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
while walking three and striking out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
three in 10.1 innings of work
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...
. He also saw time at the minor league level with the Montreal Royals
Montreal Royals
The Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
(1946), St. Paul Saints
St. Paul Saints
The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. The Saints are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
(1947-'49) and Oakland Oaks
Oakland Oaks (PCL)
The Oakland Oaks were a minor league baseball team in Oakland, California that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 through 1955, after which the club transferred to Vancouver, British Columbia...
(1950-'51), combining to go 77-68 with a 4.00 ERA in 330 pitching appearances (114 starts
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
) during a 10-year career.
Following his baseball career, Van Cuyk went into real estate and car sales. He was a long time resident of Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
, where he died eight days after his 89th birthday.