Johnny Van Cuyk

Who was Johnny Van Cuyk?

John Henry Van Cuyk was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1947 through 1949 for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Listed at 6 ft 1 in, 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 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, St. Paul Saints and Oakland Oaks, combining to go 77–68 with a 4.00 ERA in 330 pitching appearances during a 10-year career.

Following his baseball career, Van Cuyk went into real estate and car sales. He was a longtime resident of Rochester, Minnesota, where he died eight days after his 89th birthday.