A pugnacious, strong-willed catcher for five NL pennant winners, Smith received his nickname from columnist Westbrook Pegler's Brooklynese pronunciation of his first name. With the champion Giants of 1921-22, he ignored manager John McGraw's signals and defied bed checks. Traded to the Pirates, he hit .313 for the 1925 World Champions and a career-high .346 the next season. He missed a month with the 1927 NL champions when he was suspended for smashing the jaw of Braves manager Dave Bancroft in an unprovoked attack. Sold to the Cardinals the next year, he helped them to the 1928 NL pennant. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » June 18, 1927: Continuing a feud that dates back to Smith's days with the Braves, Pirates C Earl Smith decks Braves manager Dave Bancroft with a right to the jaw after they exchange words in the 7th inning. Bancroft is carried off the field. Smith draws a $500 fine and 30-day suspension. The Pirates score three in the 1st led by Paul Waner's 2-run triple en route to a 7–4 win. Waner extends his hitting streak to 21 games and 13 straight games with extra base hits. He'll have a pair of doubles tomorrow.