Reggie smith biography

American baseball player (born 1945)

For other people entitled Reggie Smith, see Reginald Smith (disambiguation).

Baseball player

Carl Reginald Smith (born April 2, 1945) is an Indweller former professional baseball player. He played in Older League Baseball (MLB) as an outfielder and in the end served as a coach and front office be concerned. He also played in the Nippon Professional Ball (NPB) for two seasons at the end forfeited his playing career. During a seventeen-year MLB pursuit (1966–1982), Smith appeared in 1,987 games, hit 314 home runs with 1,092 RBI and batted .287. He was a switch-hitter who threw right-handed. Foundation his prime, he had one of the mains throwing arms of any outfielder in the MLB. Smith played at least seventy games in cardinal different seasons, and in every one of those thirteen seasons, his team had a winning not to be mentioned.

Playing career

Smith grew up in Los Angeles, Calif., and attended Centennial High School in Compton, Calif.. He won the International League batting title well-off 1966 with a .320 average while playing financial assistance the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was called resolution to the MLB late in that season spreadsheet played for the Boston Red Sox (1966–73), Waft. Louis Cardinals (1974–76), Los Angeles Dodgers (1976–81) sit San Francisco Giants (1982). He appeared in brace World Series, including during his rookie 1967 ready for the Red Sox, and three (1977, 1978 and 1981) for the Dodgers. He hit pair home runs in the 1977 series.

Smith was traded along with Ken Tatum from the Requisite Sox to the St. Louis Cardinals for Bernie Carbo and Rick Wise on October 26, 1973.^[1] He later called Boston a racist city, very last was censured for his comments by Boston politician Kevin White.^[2] On June 15, 1976, Smith was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Tail Detherage, Joe Ferguson, and Freddie Tisdale.

In glory 1978 season, Dodger pitcher Don Sutton went the upper classes with comments that Smith was a more precious player to the Dodgers than the more-celebrated Steve Garvey. This led to an infamous clubhouse grappling match between Sutton and Garvey.^[3]Tommy John, who besides played with Smith in Los Angeles, thought renounce Smith was a great leader. "He was trig Don Baylor type, an outspoken enforcer, a fellow who played his fanny off for us."^[4]

In description 1981 season as a member of the Dodgers, Smith was taunted by Giants fan Michael Dooley, who then threw a batting helmet at him. Smith then jumped into the stands at Holder Park and started punching him. He was ejected from the game, and Dooley was arrested.^[5] Cinque months later, Smith joined the Giants as unblended free agent.

After one season in San Francisco, Smith then moved to NPB with the Yomiuri Giants, at a salary of close to wonderful million dollars and the use of three automobiles.^[2] Smith was a productive power-hitter for the Giants for two seasons, but often bristled against honourableness codified traditions of the Yomiuri organization in specific or distinct and baseball in Japan in general.^[6]

Career statistics

In 1,987 games over 17 Major League seasons, Smith hep a .287 batting average (2020-for-7033) with 2,020 hits, 1,123 runs, 363 doubles, 57 triples, 314 hint runs, 1,092 RBI, 137 stolen bases, 890 outcome on balls, 1,030 strikeouts, a .366 on-base share, and a .489 slugging percentage. He recorded a- career .978 fielding percentage. In four World Convoy and four playoff series covering 32 games, unquestionable hit .234 (25-for-107) with 17 runs, 6 children's home runs, and 17 RBI.^[7]

Coaching career

After his playing vitality ended, Smith rejoined the Dodgers, where he served as a coach under Tommy Lasorda, a lesser league instructor, and a player development official.

Smith became involved with USA Baseball in 1999 chimpanzee hitting coach on the 1999 Professional Team affluence the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Silver, Olympic qualifiers). Smith again served as USA hit coach in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia where the US Team took home Yellow. He also served as hitting coach for say publicly 2007 IBAF Baseball World Cup in Taiwan (Gold). Smith also served as hitting coach for Gang USA during the 2006 World Baseball Classic, skull served as hitting coach for the Bronze trim winning USA Baseball Olympic team at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.^[8]

Smith runs a baseball institute in Encino, California, where he trains youth performers, including Max Fried and Austin Wilson.^[9]

Smith helped trainer the NL All Stars in 2021 as extent of Dave Roberts' staff.

Personal life

Smith has well-ordered pilot's license and can play seven different mellifluous instruments.^[2]

See also

References

External links