Blake was born in Portsmouth, Ohio. His father owned a butcher shop in Portsmouth, and Blake returned to work there even during his major-league offseasons.\n', '

Blake debuted in the major leagues in 1894, becoming the first major league player from Portsmouth. He had been playing for the Atlanta Atlantas of the Southern League when the Cleveland Spiders sent injured outfielder Jimmy McAleer to find some promising players. Blake and McAleer had several similarities – both were Ohio natives and light-hitting outfielders with strong defensive skills – and Blake was signed by the Spiders.\n', '

He was a member of the Cleveland team that defeated the Baltimore Orioles four games to one to win the 1895 Temple Cup. In May 1896, the Spiders had farmed Blake out to a team in Fort Wayne, Indiana. While he was there, he married Viola Barber. Blake returned to the Spiders shortly after his wedding. The next year, he again split the season between the Spiders and a farm team. In 1898, he finished fourth in the league in sacrifice hits with 23.\n', '

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