Chuck Smith (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Charles Edward Smith is the current mayor of Woodmere, Ohio
and a former Major League Baseball
player. He attended John Adams High School
in Cleveland, Ohio
and later Indiana State University
. He was listed at 6'1", 185 pounds during his playing days and growing up his idol was Satchel Paige
.
. He did not sign, but in the Houston Astros
picked him up as an undrafted free agent.
and international baseball) as both a starter
and reliever
. He was set to be a replacement player for the 1995 season as a result of the 1994-1995 Major League Baseball strike but then had perhaps his best minor league season in 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 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 while he also gave up the 16th home run in Barry Bonds
record breaking 2001 season, when Bonds hit 73 homers. He played his final major league game on July 24, 2001. During his two seasons in the major leagues, he earned $175,000 in 2000 and $240,000 in 2001, respectively.
In 2004, Smith pitched for the Richmond Braves and was tied with Alex Graman
in leading the International League
in strikeouts with 129.
Smith pitched for the Brother Elephants
in the Chinese Professional Baseball League
in 2006.
s. 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 and his career in the minors compared statistically to John Miller.
, a minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox
.
In November 2009, Smith was elected mayor of Woodmere, Ohio
.
Woodmere, Ohio
Woodmere is a village in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. It is a suburb of Cleveland. The population was 884 at the 2010 census.-History:...
and a former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player. He attended John Adams High School
John Adams High School (Cleveland, Ohio)
For schools with similar names, see Adams High School.John Adams High School is a public high school located on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is part of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.-History:...
in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
and later Indiana State University
Indiana State University
Indiana State University is a public university located in Terre Haute, Indiana, United States.The Princeton Review has named Indiana State as one of the "Best in the Midwest" seven years running, and the College of Education's Graduate Program was recently named as a 'Top 100' by U.S...
. He was listed at 6'1", 185 pounds during his playing days and growing up his idol was Satchel Paige
Satchel Paige
Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was an American baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball made him a legend in his own lifetime...
.
Draft
He was originally drafted in the 30rd round (772nd overall) in the draft by the Montreal ExposMontreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
. He did not sign, but in the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
picked him up as an undrafted free agent.
Career
Smith spent time in all levels of pro ball (including independent baseballIndependent baseball
Independent baseball leagues are professional baseball organizations located in the United States and Canada. They are not operated in conjunction with either a Major League Baseball team or an affiliated minor league team. Being independent allows teams to be located close to major-league teams...
and international baseball) as both a starter
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
and reliever
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
. He was set to be a replacement player for the 1995 season as a result of the 1994-1995 Major League Baseball strike but then had perhaps his best minor league season in with the South Bend Silver Hawks
South Bend Silver Hawks
The South Bend Silver Hawks are a U.S. Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks, that plays in the Midwest League....
, when he went 10-10 with a 2.67 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. He also struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
145 batters in 167 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
that year.
After years in the minors, he finally reached the major leagues at the age of 30 in with the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
(to whom he'd been traded for Brant Brown
Brant Brown
Brant Michael Brown is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He is currently the hitting coach for the Frisco RoughRiders.Brown attended Monache High School and Fresno State University....
). 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
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
-a home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
by Ron Gant
Ron Gant
Ronald Edwin "Ron" Gant is a former American Major League outfielder and second baseman earlier on who played for the Atlanta Braves , Cincinnati Reds , St...
in the first inning, which was also the first hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
he ever gave up. He earned no decision in the game. He won
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
his first game on July 27 of that year against the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
-in five innings of work, he walked
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
four, struck out two, and gave up six hits but still managed a win. He completed
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
his first game on September 23 against the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
-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 while he also gave up the 16th home run in Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
record breaking 2001 season, when Bonds hit 73 homers. He played his final major league game on July 24, 2001. During his two seasons in the major leagues, he earned $175,000 in 2000 and $240,000 in 2001, respectively.
In 2004, Smith pitched for the Richmond Braves and was tied with Alex Graman
Alex Graman
Alex Joseph Graman is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball and is currently their closer. He bats and throws left-handed.-College career:...
in leading the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
in strikeouts with 129.
Smith pitched for the Brother Elephants
Brother Elephants
The Brother Elephants are a professional baseball team in Taiwan. It was originally established as an amateur team in 1984 by the Brother Hotel located in Taipei City, and later joined the Chinese Professional Baseball League in 1989...
in the Chinese Professional Baseball League
Chinese Professional Baseball League
The Chinese Professional Baseball League , or CPBL, is the top-tier professional baseball league in Taiwan. The league was established in 1989. CPBL eventually absorbed the competing Taiwan Major League in 2003...
in 2006.
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 batAt bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s. As a fielder, he made three errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
for a .936 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
.
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 and his career in the minors compared statistically to John Miller.
Post-playing career
In February 2008, Smith was named pitching coach of the Lancaster JetHawksLancaster JetHawks
The Lancaster JetHawks are a minor league baseball team of the California League located in Lancaster, California. The team is named for the city's association with the aerospace industry and plays its home games at Clear Channel Stadium...
, a minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
.
In November 2009, Smith was elected mayor of Woodmere, Ohio
Woodmere, Ohio
Woodmere is a village in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. It is a suburb of Cleveland. The population was 884 at the 2010 census.-History:...
.
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