Turchin, nicknamed "Smiley", had a
minor league baseball career spanning 1937 to 1946, with gaps, as he did not play professionally during 1938, 1944, or 1945. He was one of many players who only appeared in the
major leagues during World War II, appearing in 11 games for the
1943 Cleveland Indians, spending time as a
third baseman and
shortstop. With the Indians, he
batted 3-for-13 (.231) with one
RBI. Turchin was born in
New York City, He was Jewish, and attended
Brooklyn College. He died in 1982, two days before his 65th birthday, in
Brookhaven, New York. ==References==