Roy Smalley
Born: 1952
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SS-DH 1975-87 Rangers, Twins, Yankees, White Sox
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| Games | Average | HR | RBI |
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| Career |
1653 | .257 | 163 | 694 | | World Series |
4 | .500 | 0 | 0 |
Drafted by the Expos, Red Sox, and Cardinals, but opting to attend the University of Southern California, Smalley turned pro with Texas as the number-one draft choice in January 1974. Soon acquired by Minnesota in a six-player-plus-cash deal, the Californian began a five-year stint playing for his uncle, manager Gene Mauch, a teammate of his father, Roy Sr. A switch-hitting, wide-ranging shortstop with power, Roy Jr. led pro baseball in homers at his position in 1978 (19) and 1974 (24). He was the Twins' MVP the former year and a starter in the All-Star Game the latter. Smalley's success diminished after suffering with spondylolysis, a condition in his lower back, in 1981, though he continued to be a dependable hitter and versatile performer. He spent two-plus unhappy years (1982-84) with the Yankees, being moved among all four infield positions. He was used primarily as a designated hitter upon returning to Minnesota in 1985. Smalley set a Twins record for career sacrifice bunts and was among the club's all-time leaders in homers, hits, and RBI. (ME)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
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| » January 12, 1972:
In the secondary phase of the January draft, the Reds pick JC pitcher Tom Hume, the Braves get Sam Bowen, and the Red Sox, picking 1,653, take Roy Smalley. Duane Kuiper is picked by the Indians. » January 9, 1974: Picking first in the January amateur draft, the Rangers select SS Roy Smalley, Jr, son of 10-year ML vet SS Roy Smalley and nephew of manager Gene Mauch. Smalley, who dropped out of USC in the fall to make himself eligible, will sign for $100,000. » May 8, 1979:
The Twins roll by the Toronto Blue Jays, 16–6. In the 7th, Twins Roy Smalley, Craig Kusick and Ken Landreaux all homer off Toronto's Balor Moore. » April 10, 1980:
Minnesota outlasts Oakland, 9–7, in 12 innings. Rick Sofield hits his first ML homer, a 3-run shot in the 12th, and Roy Smalley adds another in the frame -- both off Steve McCatty. Sofield has three hits and three runs in the game but will end his ML career in 1981 with a .207 average. He'll switch to football and become the starting quarterback for the University of South Carolina in 1983.
» April 10, 1982: The Yankees trade relief pitcher Ron Davis and minor leaguers Paul Boris and Greg Gagne to the Twins for veteran IF Roy Smalley. Gagne hit .270 and .297 the past two seasons at Greensboro.
» May 29, 1982:
At Minnesota, the Yanks put runners on 1B (Graig Nettles) and 2B (Bobby Murcer) with no outs. When Roy Smalley strikes out on a wide 3-2 pitch from Terry Felton, Murcer attempts to steal 3B. But Sal Butera's throw beats him so badly he retreats to 2B only to find Nettles there. Gary Gaetti tags Murcer who is standing safely alone on the base, and then throws to Kent Hrbek to catch Nettles heading back to 1B. Murcer then tries for 3B and Hrbek's throw to Felton covering completes the triple play. Alas, Felton, 0–8 coming into the game gets a no-decision, and will lose another five to finish his career with an 0–16 record. » August 6, 1982:
The Yankees trade Bucky Dent to the Rangers for Lee Mazzilli. Dent was hitting only .169 and had lost his starting SS job to Roy Smalley.
» June 26, 1985: Minnesota's Ken Schrom one-hits Kansas City, but needs a 2-run single from Roy Smalley in the bottom of the 9th to secure the 2–1 victory. Willie Wilson's 3rd-inning single is the only Royals hit. » August 19, 1985:
At Milwaukee, Roy Smalley's homer in the 5th is the Twins only hit off Danny Darwin. The Brewers win, 2–1. |
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