Todd - The flat end of a crow bar inserted firmly into the slot for the cd will do the trick. Just gently wiggle it up and down a few inches. That will leave a nice gap you can get a pair of pliers into and just yank that sucker outta there!
Glad your cd player came to its senses and you won’t have to do this but hey if there is a next time you know what to do...you didn't hear it from me.
Pat