A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Stats | Biography | Chronology | Related Info

A multitalented player, Smith took over as regular left fielder for the pennant-winning 1954 Indians and in 1955 led the AL in runs scored and batted .306. He was traded to the White Sox in 1958 for Minnie Minoso in a deal that was very unpopular with Chicago fans. To counteract some of the Comiskey Park boo birds, owner Bill Veeck held an Al Smith Night on August 26, 1959. Any fan named Smith, Smythe, Schmidt or Smithe was admitted free and given a button that said, "I'm a Smith and I'm for Al." On his big night, Smith hit into two double plays and dropped a fly ball that led to Boston's winning run. The 1959 White Sox were Smith's second pennant winner, and he finally won some of the fans over by hitting .315 in 1960 and slugging 28 homers in 1961. (RL)