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An undistinguished reserve for parts of seven ML seasons, Smith was sent to Minneapolis of the American Association in 1922. He became one of the great minor league hitters, active until he was 44. Playing mostly in the American Association, he consistently hit over .300. His minor league highs were a .353 BA, 64 doubles (which led the league), 25 stolen bases, and 139 runs in 1924, and 31 HR and 156 RBI in 1925. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » October 10, 1925: For game three it's clear but bitterly cold in Washington following a rainstorm that caused the game to be rescheduled. President Coolidge throws out the first ball. The Pirates hold a slim 3–2 lead after 6. A walk and two singles score two in the 8th for Washington, and Firpo Marberry (8-6) closes it. Joe Harris has two hits for the 3rd time; he'll lead the Senators with .440. Sam Rice makes a controversial game-saving play in the 8th, tumbling into the stands in the right corner to spear a long drive by Earl Smith. About 15 seconds later he emerges with the ball. Despite the Pirates' arguments that a fan might have given it to him, ump Cy Rigler calls Smith out. Questioned about it for the rest of his life, Rice leaves a letter, to be opened after his death (in 1974), in which he states: "At no time did I lose possession of the ball."