Al Smith (left-handed pitcher)

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Al Smith
Smith, circa 1942
Pitcher
Born: (1907-10-12)October 12, 1907
Belleville, Illinois, U.S.
Died: April 28, 1977(1977-04-28) (aged 69)
Brownsville, Texas, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
May 5, 1934, for the New York Giants
Last MLB appearance
September 15, 1945, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
Win–loss record99–101
Earned run average3.72
Strikeouts587
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Alfred John Smith (October 12, 1907 – April 28, 1977) was an American

Cleveland Indians (1940–45) of Major League Baseball
.

Helped halt DiMaggio's hit streak

Smith is remembered for being the

Jim Bagby, Jr., DiMaggio bounced into a double play. His New York Yankees won the game, however, 4–3.[1]

Smith also is notable for having served as a nominal

batting practice pitcher, rather than risk losing him in the minor league draft. According to the Associated Press in a January 5, 1934, story, "Smith was tabbed as great prospect last spring, but Terry had so many experienced moundsmen to bank upon that there was no place for the young portsider. Rather than farm him out where he might have been grabbed by some rival club, the Giants elected to carry him as a coach."[2] The same story claims that the 1933 World Champion Giant hitters struggled against Smith's "wide breaking curves" whenever he was called upon to pitch batting practice.[2]

Smith made his Major League pitching debut on May 5, 1934, against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Forbes Field and allowed one run in two innings pitched in relief of Freddie Fitzsimmons.[3]

Early life and career

Born in Belleville, Illinois, the 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m), 180 lb (82 kg) Smith had a 17-year professional career. He helped the Giants win the 1936 and 1937 National League pennants and appeared in relief in the 1936 and 1937 World Series, both against the Yankees, allowing four earned runs in 31⁄3 innings pitched. He led the NL in shutouts (four) in 1936.

Smith as a member of the Sacramento Solons of the PCL in 1946.

Smith's best season was in 1943, when he was named to the

bases on balls, 72 strikeouts, 862 batters faced, a 2.55 earned run average and a 1.238 WHIP
.

In 12 seasons Smith had a 99–101 record, 356 games (202 started), 75 complete games, 16 shutouts, 96 games finished, 17 saves, 1,662+1⁄3 innings pitched, 1,707 hits allowed, 827 runs allowed, 688 earned runs allowed, 94 home runs allowed, 587 walks allowed—and the same number of strikeouts—as well as 32 hit batsmen, 27 wild pitches, 7,112 batters faced, 3 balks, a 3.72 ERA and a 1.380 WHIP.

As a hitter, Smith posted a .191

bases on balls. Defensively, he recorded a .961 fielding percentage
.

Al Smith died in Brownsville, Texas, at the age of 69. He is not to be confused with Alfred Kendricks Smith, a right-handed pitcher who appeared in one game for the 1926 Giants.

Received the 1943 Cleveland Indians "Most Valuable Player Award" voted on by the Cleveland Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). He was formally recognized at a private dinner by the writers on May 24, 1944.

References

  1. ^ "Joe DiMaggio: The Streak Dies in Ken Keltner's Glove in Game 57 — The Official Site of Joe DiMaggio". joedimaggio.com. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Al Smith, Without Derby, On Giants' Pitching Staff". Reading Eagle. Reading, Pennsylvania. Associated Press (AP). January 5, 1934. p. 20. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  3. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates 6, New York Giants 3". retrosheet.org. May 5, 1934. Retrieved February 6, 2020.

External links

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