Smith, who was not afraid to knock down hitters, was a workhorse Reds reliever, appearing
in 50 or more games each year from 1951 to 1954. Though his nine relief losses in
1952 and eight in '54 were league highs, his 20 saves in '54 put him second in the
NL.
(RTM)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»August 21, 1951:
The Giants manage just one runs in seven innings off Reds knuckleballer Willard Ramsdell, but the wheels come off in "The Knuck" in the 8th: Eddie Stanky belts a leadoff homer, Lockman adds a 2-run shot, and Westrum finishes with a 3-run roundtripper off reliever Frank Smith. Spencer (9-4) wins in relief, 7–4. With their 10th straight win, the Giants move to seven 1/2 behind the rained-out Brooks.
»May 21, 1952: After leadoff batter Billy Cox grounds out against Ewell Blackwell, the Whip loses his snap. The Dodgers then score 15 runs in the first inning as a record 19 consecutive batters reach 1B. Captain Pee Wee Reese walks twice in reaching base safely three times. Andy Pafko is thrown out trying to steal 3B, and Duke Snider mercifully strikes out to end the barrage against the Reds. The Dodgers score 15 runs on 15 RBIs in the frame, and coast at home, 19–1. Winning pitcher Chris Van Cuyk has the most hits with four—two in the first inning off Bud Byerly and Frank Smith, while Bobby Morgan has a pair of two-run homers and Snider another two-run homer. The Reds lone run is a homer by reserve catcher Dixie Howell.
»December 8, 1954: The Cardinals send veteran pitcher Gerry Staley, who had won 84 games for St. Louis in the past six seasons, along with 3B Ray Jablonski to the Reds for Frank Smith (8–1 in 1954). After a year in St. Louis the Cards will waive good-bye to Smith and Cincinnati will sign him back.
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