Chuck Smith (baseball)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Chuck Smith | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher | ||
| Born: October 21, 1969 | ||
| Batted: Right | Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | ||
| June 13, 2000 for the Florida Marlins |
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| Final game | ||
| July 24, 2001 for the Texas Rangers |
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| Career statistics | ||
| ERA | 3.84 | |
| Record | 11-11 | |
| Strikeouts | 189 | |
| Teams | ||
| Career highlights and awards | ||
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Charles Edward Smith (born October 21, 1969 in Memphis, Tennessee) is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball and a current minor league baseball pitching coach. He attended John Adams High School in Cleveland, Ohio and later Indiana State University. He was listed at 6'1", 185 pounds.
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[edit] Draft
He was originally drafted in the 30rd round (772nd overall) in the 1989 draft by the Montreal Expos. He did not sign, but in 1991 the Houston Astros picked him up as an undrafted free agent.
[edit] Career
Truly a career minor leaguer, he spent time in all levels of pro ball (including independent baseball and international baseball) as both a starter and reliever. Perhaps his best minor league season was 1995 with the South Bend Silver Hawks, when he went 10-10 with a 2.67 earned run average. He also struck out 145 batters in 167 innings pitched that year.
After years in the minors, he finally reached the major leagues at the age of 30 in 2000 with the Florida Marlins (to whom he'd been traded for Brant Brown). His major league debut (June 30) was impressive-in six innings of work, he gave up six hits, struck out six and only allowed one earned run-a home run by Ron Gant in the first inning, which was also the first hit he ever gave up. He earned no decision in the game. He won his first game on July 27 of that year against the Atlanta Braves-in five innings of work, he walked four, struck out two, and gave up six hits but still managed a win. He completed his first game on September 23 against the Colorado Rockies-albeit a shortened game. He finished his rookie season with a 6-6 record and a 3.23 ERA.
Described as being "...on top of his game when he moves his pitches around...with his incredible control," Smith "...smokes his fastball past hitters up high and induces pathetic ground balls with his low off-speed stuff." He apparently lost some of that skill in 2001 as went 5-5 with an ERA that jumped to 4.70. He played his final major league game on July 24, 2001.
Smith pitched for the Brother Elephants in the Chinese Professional Baseball League in 2006.
[edit] Career stats
Overall, he went 11-11 with a 3.84 ERA in his career in 34 games started. He struck out 189 batters in 210+ innings. He gave up just 16 home runs in his career. He had a .136 average as a batter. He walked once and struck out 27 times in 66 at bats. As a fielder, he made three errors for a .936 fielding percentage.
After his time with the Marlins, he jumped around the minor leagues in the Rockies, Mets, Braves and Orioles farm systems. He finished his minor league career with an 89-76 record, and an ERA of 3.89.
[edit] Post-playing career
In February 2008, Smith was named pitching coach of the Lancaster JetHawks, a minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.[1]
[edit] Facts and trivia
- His idol is Satchel Paige.
- He wore two numbers in his career: 23 (2000) and 45 (2001)
- Tied with Alex Graman in 2004 to lead the International League in strikeouts with 129.
- He earned $175,000 in 2000. He earned $240,000 in 2001.
- He was set to be a replacement player in the 1994 baseball strike.
- He gave up the 16th home run in Barry Bonds record breaking 2001 season, when Bonds hit 73 homers.
- Compared statistically to John Miller.
- He was teammates with Ryan Glynn for four years-longer than any other teammate.
[edit] Quotes about Smith
- "Inconsistency has been the bane of his existence from the minors to the majors."-TSN.ca
- "His potential appears to have tapped out. He's a decent major-league middle reliever at best."-TSN.ca
[edit] References
TSN.ca The Baseball Cube Baseball Reference Baseball Almanac
[edit] External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
