John Smiley
Encyclopedia
John Smiley is an American
former Major League Baseball
pitcher
who played for four teams: the Pittsburgh Pirates
, Minnesota Twins
, the Cincinnati Reds
and the Cleveland Indians
in a twelve year career from to .
In Smiley's first full season (1987), he was a relief pitcher
, leading the Pirates in appearances with 63 games. Smiley was converted to a starting pitcher
in 1988, lowering his Earned Run Average
by a full 2.5 runs per game, posting a 3.25 ERA and 13 wins against 11 losses.
Smiley was a two time All-Star: as a Pirate in , a season in which Smiley led the National League with twenty wins and finished third in the Cy Young Award
balloting; and in with the Reds, a season in which he had twelve wins and five losses. In August 1995, Smiley surrendered a home run to Braves
pitcher Tom Glavine
— the only homer Glavine hit in his major league career. Smiley broke his left humerus while warming up for a start in 1997 shortly after he was traded to the Indians by the Reds with Jeff Branson for Jim Crowell, Danny Graves, Damian Jackson and Scott Winchester. The injury ended his career.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who played for four teams: the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
and the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
in a twelve year career from to .
In Smiley's first full season (1987), he was a relief pitcher
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...
, leading the Pirates in appearances with 63 games. Smiley was converted to a starting pitcher
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....
in 1988, lowering his 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...
by a full 2.5 runs per game, posting a 3.25 ERA and 13 wins against 11 losses.
Smiley was a two time All-Star: as a Pirate in , a season in which Smiley led the National League with twenty wins and finished third in the Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
balloting; and in with the Reds, a season in which he had twelve wins and five losses. In August 1995, Smiley surrendered a home run to 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....
pitcher Tom Glavine
Tom Glavine
Thomas Michael Glavine is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher.With 164 victories during the 1990s, Glavine was the second winningest pitcher in the National League, second only to teammate Greg Maddux's 176...
— the only homer Glavine hit in his major league career. Smiley broke his left humerus while warming up for a start in 1997 shortly after he was traded to the Indians by the Reds with Jeff Branson for Jim Crowell, Danny Graves, Damian Jackson and Scott Winchester. The injury ended his career.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball wins champions