Books and articles about Lee Smith

The intimidating, 6'6" 265-lb Smith recorded at least 29 saves each year from 1983 to 1988 with a menacing glare and a 95-mph fastball. When he retired, he stood alone as the all-time saves leader with 478 and also ranked first in games finished (802) and third all-time in appearances (1022).

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Originally, Smith resisted a move to the bullpen. "When [Double-A Manager] Randy Hundley tried to make me a reliever,'' Smith told the San Jose Mercury-News in 2000, "I took it to mean that I was not good enough to start.'' For a brief period he quit baseball to play basketball at Northwestern Louisiana State until a visit from Cubs great Billy Williams convinced him to return to the mound.

Notorious for his slow gait coming in from the bullpen, Smith shared closing duties with future AL MVP Willie Hernandez in 1982 (inheriting the job from Dick Tidrow) and led the NL in saves for the first time for the Cubs in 1983. Smith then strung together four straight seasons with 30 or more -- at the time, Dan Quisenberry had been the only other pitcher to accomplish that feat.

Smith won the 1987 All-Star Game for the NL with three shutout innings, but amid rumors that his bulk was beginning to affect his knees, the Cubs' all-time saves leader was traded to the Red Sox for Calvin Schiraldi and Al Nipper in the off-season. In his Fenway Park debut he blew a lead and surrendered a game-winning home run, but he recovered to post 29 saves and 96 strikeouts in 83.2 innings as well as his best ERA (2.80) since 1983 as Boston won the AL East.

Smith was 6-1 with a 3.57 ERA and 25 saves for the Red Sox in 1989, but was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals at the beginning of the 1990 season for outfielder Tom Brunansky. He returned to his dominant self with the Cardinals, recording a miniscule ERA of 2.06 in 1990 and then reeling off three straight 40-plus save seasons. Smith's 1991 save total of 47 was a career best and his 15 saves in June of 1993 set a major-league record.

Towards the end of the 1993 season, Smith was dealt to the Yankees for pitcher Rich Batchelor and proved his worth as a key member of the Bombers bullpen during the stretch drive. Smith made eight appearances and recorded 3 saves in pinstripes, but filed for free agency in October and signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles in January. He continued to master opposing batters, saving 33 games with the Orioles before filing again for free agency at the end of the year. Smith signed with the California Angels for 1995 and nailed down 37 saves in what would be his last productive year.

At the opening of the 1996 season Smith was traded to the Cincinnati Reds where he was primarily used as a setup man. Adjusting to the unfamiliar role led to a shaky season. In '97 he inked with the Expos, but by July it became obvious that age had finally taken its toll. After announcing his retirement on July 15, 1997, Smith refused to answer questions from the media.

In 1998, Smith was invited to spring training by the Royals as a non-roster player, but was released when he refused to start the season for their Triple-A affiliate. Smith signed a minor league deal with the Houston Astros later that year but soon retired again. Within three years he was back in baseball as a coach in the Giants' organization. (SCL/DT)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » May 6, 1974: Oakland P Paul Lindblad makes an errant throw in the first inning of a 6–3 loss to Baltimore. This ends Lindblad's ML-record streak of 385 consecutive errorless games, dating back to August 27, 1966. Lee Smith will later top Lindblad's mark in the NL. » June 5, 1983: The Cubs beat the Pirates, 3–1, with Craig Lefferts winning over Lee Tunnell. Lee Smith strikes out four of the last five batters to earn his 8th save. » August 7, 1984: The Cubs sweep a pair from the visiting Mets, winning 8–6 and 8–4. Rick Sutcliffe (9–1) beats Ron Darling (10-5) in the opener, benefiting from a 6-run 5th inning. Keith Moreland hits a 3-run home run and Ron Cey a 2-run shot in the 5th. A 5-run 4th in game two propels Chicago to the win for reliever Tim Stoddard. Lee Smith notches his 25th save. » October 3, 1984: Steve "Rainbow" Trout scatters five hits and Lee Smith slams the door in the Cubs' 4–2 victory over the Padres. » June 22, 1985: In his first ML at bat, Curt Ford delivers a pinch single off Lee Smith to give St. Louis a 2–1 win over the Cubs and sole possession of first place in the National League East. Chicago, which had been clinging to first place, has now lost 11 in a row. » August 9, 1987: With help from Lee Smith, Scott Sanderson beats the Mets, 6–3, at Shea Stadium. The loser is Doc Gooden, who snaps his 10-game winning streak against the Cubs. He'll start another streak of 12 wins. » August 21, 1987: Andre Dawson belts his 39th and 40th home runs of the season and Lee Smith picks up his 30th save in Chicago's 7–5 win over the Astros. » December 8, 1987: Cincinnati trades OF Dave Parker to the A's for pitchers Jose Rijo and Tim Birtsas, the Braves trade SS Rafael Ramirez to the Astros for a pair of minor leaguers, and in the day's biggest (and most lopsided) deal, the Cubs send dominating reliever Lee Smith to the Red Sox for pitchers Al Nipper and Calvin Schiraldi. » September 14, 1988: Mike Greenwell hits for the cycle to help Mike Boddicker earn a victory in his first game against his former club, a 4–3 Boston win over the Orioles. Lee Smith notches his 26th save. » May 4, 1990: The Red Sox trade reliever Lee Smith to the Cardinals for OF Tom Brunansky. » August 14, 1991: Jeff Reardon of the Red Sox and Lee Smith of the Cardinals both reach the 30-save level for the 6th consecutive season, tying the major league record. Reardon notches his in a 2-1 win over Cleveland, while Smith saves St. Louis' 5-4 victory over the Mets. » September 28, 1991: The Cards Lee Smith ties the National League record for saves with his 45th, as St. Louis beats the Cubs, 3–2. Smith pitches a scoreless 9th to tie the mark of another Cardinal ex-Cub, Bruce Sutter, who racked up 45 in 1984. » October 1, 1991: Lee Smith of the Cardinals sets an National League record with his 46th save of the year in a 3-1 victory over the Expos. He'll finish the year with 47. » April 13, 1993: Cardinals' P Lee Smith sets an all-time major league record with his 358th career save, breaking Jeff Reardon's mark. Smith preserves St. Louis' 9-7 win over the Dodgers. » August 31, 1993: In a flurry of deadline trades, the Reds sent pitchers Johnny Ruffin and Jim Pierce to the White Sox in exchange for P Tim Belcher; The Dodgers trade OF Eric Davis to the Tigers in exchange for P John DeSilva. The Cardinals trade P Lee Smith to the Yankees in exchange for P Rich Batchelor. » January 29, 1994: The Orioles sign free agent P Lee Smith. » December 13, 1994: The Angels sign free agent P Lee Smith to a 2-year contract. » June 20, 1995: P Lee Smith saves the Angels' 3-2 win over the Royals to set a major league record with his 18th save in 18 opportunities. His streak will end on June 28. » May 27, 1996: The Reds acquire all-time save leader Lee Smith, 37, from the Angels in exchange for lefty Chuck McElroy. » July 6, 1996: During the Yankees 2–0 win over the Brewers, the team announces the purchase of Darryl Strawberry's contract from Columbus. John Wetteland preserves Jimmy Key's win with a save in his 20th consecutive appearance, breaking Lee Smith's record. » July 15, 1997: The Expos announce the retirement of all-time saves leader Lee Smith. » January 20, 1998: Veteran P Lee Smith and 3B Terry Pendleton sign minor league contracts with the Royals, who invite them to training camp as non–roster players. » April 14, 1999: The Mets down the Marlins, 4–1, as NY reliever John Franco records the 400th save of his career. Only Lee Smith has notched more, with 478.