He played one season in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Cleveland Indians.

Turchin, nicknamed "Smiley",[1] had a minor league baseball career spanning 1937 to 1946, with gaps, as he did not play professionally during 1938, 1944, or 1945.

[2] 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.

[2][3] Turchin was born in New York City,[2] and served in the United States Navy during World War II.

[5][6] He died in 1982, two days before his 65th birthday, in Brookhaven, New York.