Lee Smith Hall of Fame Moments

This afternoon, after a 16-year wait, Lee Smith was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Smith was unanimously elected by the Modern Baseball Committee last December. The 61-year old Smith, who has the 3rd most saves (478) in baseball history, was granted a Cooperstown plaque on the same day as the man with the most, Mariano Rivera. This piece is the final installment of a six-part series celebrating the great moments of the six Hall of Fame inductees.

Lee Smith, whenever summoned from the bullpen, would walk in slowly, deliberately. In the same vein, Smith slowly accumulated his 478 career saves. As I explained in this feature published shortly after he was elected by the Eras Committee (formerly known as the Veterans Committee), Smith was rarely if ever the top relief pitcher in the game. What he was, however, was a consistently reliable 9th inning option for his managers for 14 consecutive years. He was rarely great but he was always really good; he was dependable.

Since Smith began his career in 1980, this piece has fewer video clips than some of the others. Through the miracle of YouTube, there are countless baseball clips that anyone can find but there are far fewer available from the 1980’s than from the decades that followed.

Just to recap the ground rules for these “moments” pieces. Ranking any player’s top moments in order of importance is a highly subjective process, one that I declined to undertake. I found it easier and better to review the moments in chronological order.

Anyway, let’s take a trip down memory lane to re-visit the big moments in the career of Lee Arthur Smith.

(cover photo: Chicago Tribune)

Lee Smith Hall of Fame Moment #1: August 29, 1981 (Cubs v Dodgers)

Lee Smith made his debut with the Chicago Cubs in September 1980, the last month in which future Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter would wear a Cubs uniform. Smith would ultimately be the heir apparent to Sutter as the Cubs’ closer but that didn’t happen in 1981. Instead, the big right-hander was a set-up man and several pitchers handled closing duties.

On this night at Dodger Stadium, the Cubs had a 2-0 lead over Los Angeles entering the bottom of the 8th. Chicago’s Mike Griffin allowed three singles to the first four batters he faced. Smith was summoned by manager Joey Amalfitano into the game with a one-run lead, runners on 1st and 2nd and 1 out. After a Dusty Baker infield hit loaded the bases, Smith got Steve Garvey to pop out to shallow center field and Ron Cey to fly out to right. In the 9th inning, now with a 3-1 lead, Smith retired the side in order, striking out Reggie Smith to record his first career save.

The Cubs only won 38 games in the strike-shortened season. Six different pitchers recorded saves, including team leader Dick Tidrow (9) and future MVP Willie Hernandez (2). The team had former Reds’ closer Rawly Eastwick (1 save) and future MLB closers Jay Howell (0 saves in 1981 out of 155 career) and Bill Caudill (0 out of 106).

Lee Smith Hall of Fame Moment #2: July 23, 1982 (Cubs v Reds)

The Cubs maintained a bullpen by committee system well into 1982; Smith only had 3 saves as of July 22nd. On the 23rd of the month, the Cubs were clinging to a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the 8th inning. Hernandez had given up 2 hits to the first 3 batters. With one out and runners on 1st and 2nd, Smith was summoned to put out the fire.

Smith struck out Alex Trevino and got pinch-hitter Larry Bittner to ground out. The Cubs gave Smith an extra run to work with in the top of the 9th and Smith navigated the final frame for his 3rd save of the season, the 4th of his young career. After that, he became the team’s designated closer. Including the July 23rd tilt, Smith was a perfect 15-for-15 in save opportunities down the stretch, logging a 0.80 ERA in 33.2 innings.

Lee Smith Hall of Fame Moment #3: May 10, 1983 (Cubs at Dodgers)

Smith got off to a fantastic start to the 1983 season, logging 12.2 scoreless innings in 10 games. That scoreless string did, however, include a blown save, a game in which he allowed an inherited runner to score from 3rd base.

On May 9th at Dodger Stadium, Smith lost his first game of the year, allowing the Dodgers’ Ken Landreaux to beat the Cubs in the bottom of the 9th with a walk-off single. Manager Jim Frey brought his closer back the next night, this time to protect a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the 7th. On this night, Smith retired 9 straight Dodgers to preserve the 3-2 victory. It was one of two perfect 9-out saves Smith had in 1983, the only two of his career. Pitching in a vastly different era than today’s game, Smith had four 9-out saves overall in ’83 and eight in his career.

1983 was arguably the best season in Lee Smith’s career. Although he lost 10 games out of the pen, he saved a league-high 29 saves in 103.1 innings while posting a 1.65 ERA. He made his first All-Star squad and finished 9th in the Cy Young voting.

Lee Smith Hall of Fame Moment #4: October 3, 1984: NLCS Game 2 (Padres v Cubs)

In 1983, Smith blew only 4 saves out of 33 opportunities. In 1984, he was less efficient, blowing 9 out of 42 chances to finish the season with 33 saves. So, although his his ERA in ’84 was higher (3.65), Smith only allowed 7 of 41 inherited runners to score (17%), a remarkable accomplishment. Regardless, Smith was a key part to helping the Cubs clinch the N.L. East title for the first time and make the postseason party for the first time since the 1945 World Series.

In Game 1 of the NLCS, behind Cy Young Award winner Rick Sutcliffe, the Cubs romped to a 13-0 victory over the San Diego Padres, the N.L. West Champions and first-time playoff participants.

In Game 2, the Cubs had a 4-2 lead going into the 9th inning. Starter Steve Trout was still on the hill in the top of the 9th. After getting Steve Garvey to tap back to the mound, Trout issued a walk to Kevin McReynolds. Frey called upon Smith to get the final two outs. In this, his first postseason outing, Smith struck out Carmelo Martinez and got Terry Kennedy to fly out to left field to secure the save and send the Cubs to San Diego with a 2-0 series lead.

If you want to re-watch this or any other clip after it’s finished, hit the re-fresh button at the bottom of the frame.

Chicago was just one game from the World Series but, as we all know, it was not to be for the Cubbies. Dennis Eckersley, a mid-season acquisition by the Cubs, was shelled in Game 3, a 7-1 loss.

Game 4 was pivotal. San Diego had a 5-3 lead in the 8th inning but Padres’ closer Goose Gossage gave up two runs to tie the score at 5. Smith came into the tie game in the bottom of the 8th and retired the side by striking out Champ Summers after an infield hit and error had put two runners on base.

In the bottom of the 9th, after striking out Alan Wiggins, Tony Gwynn singled to center field. The next batter, Steve Garvey, hit a two-run home run to deep right center field, giving the Padres a 7-5 victory and forcing Smith to walk off the field as the losing pitcher. Unfortunately, Garvey’s blast and Smith walking off is the enduring image of the big man’s 18-year career.

Is that really fair? After all, Gossage had blown a save earlier in the game and he made it to the Hall of Fame with his 310 saves (compared to Smith’s 478). Fair or not, the difference is that Goose already had his World Series ring (with the ’78 Yankees) and he also got another chance the next day, delivering on a six-out save in the Pads’ 6-3 Game 5 win, one that sent them to the Fall Classic. Smith only got one more postseason opportunity in the rest of his career, with the 1988 Red Sox.

Lee Smith Hall of Fame Moment #5: July 14, 1987 (All-Star Game in Oakland)

1987 would be Lee Smith’s last season with the Chicago Cubs. For the second time, Smith was selected to the National League All-Star team. This Mid-Summer Classic, played in Oakland Alameda Coliseum, was scoreless after 9 innings.

Smith entered the game in the bottom of the 10th inning. He promptly struck out future Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett and rookie sensation Mark McGwire, followed by getting Kevin Seitzer to fly out to the warning track in center field. In the bottom of the 11th, after a single and a bunt put a runner on 2nd, Smith got another future Cooperstown inductee (Dave Winfield) to ground out and struck out Tony Fernandez looking. With the game still scoreless in the 12th, Smith authored a third scoreless frame, striking out Puckett again while getting McGwire to tap out back to the mound.

When Tim Raines hit a 2-run triple to give the N.L. a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 13th, Mets starter Sid Fernandez came in to get the save, giving Smith the victory. Raines was the MVP but Smith was the pitching star for the Senior Circuit.

1988-90 with the Boston Red Sox

After the 1987 season, the Cubs traded their longtime closer to the Boston Red Sox in a deal for reliever Calvin Schiraldi and starting pitcher Al Nipper. Smith helped the Red Sox to the postseason in ’88, saving 29 games to go with a 2.80 ERA. Sadly for Smith, the ’88 ALCS did not rehabilitate his postseason image.

In Game 2, he came into a tie game in the 8th with one out and runners on first and second; he got out of that inning but then gave up a run in the 9th inning, making him the losing pitcher. Smith gave up another two runs in Game 4 (a game the Sox were already losing). The A’s swept the Red Sox in 4 games.

Smith never got another postseason opportunity and finished his playoff career with a 8.44 ERA in 5.1 innings pitched. Is this why the BBWAA never elected Smith to the Hall, why he had to wait for the nod of he Veterans Committee? Maybe.

Lee Smith Hall of Fame Moment #6: August 25, 1991 (Dodgers v Cardinals)

In the 1989-90 off-season, the Red Sox signed another closer, Jeff Reardon, so Smith’s days in Beantown were numbered. In May 1990, the Red Sox traded Smith to the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1990, Smith pitched for two managers who would later make the Hall of Fame (Whitey Herzog and Joe Torre) as well as Red Schoendienst (a Hall of Fame player who was the interim skipper between the end of Herzog’s tenure and the beginning of Torre’s).

Smith had some of his best seasons in St. Louis. He saved 27 games with a 2.10 ERA in 1990. In ’91, he made his third All-Star squad and had a 2.47 ERA and 34 saves in his first 52 appearances. On August 25th, Smith collected the 300th save of his career.

At the time, 300 saves was still a big deal. Only Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers, Reardon and future Hall of Famers Gossage and Sutter had reached the plateau.

Lee Smith Hall of Fame Moment #7: October 1, 1991 (Expos v Cardinals)

On this Tuesday night in St. Louis, Smith set the National League single-season saves record with his 46th save. Ozzie Smith ranged well to his left to make the play that would result in the final out. On this, the team’s 158th game of the season and the playoffs not in the offing, the Redbirds were happy to celebrate this individual accomplishment.

Smith saved his 47th and final game of the season the next day. For the season, Smith logged a 2.34 ERA; he was the runner-up to Tom Glavine in the Cy Young vote.

Lee Smith Hall of Fame Moment #8: April 13, 1993 (Cardinals v Dodgers)

On this afternoon, the home opener for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lee Smith saved the 358th game of his career. The 358th save conversion put Smith one past Reardon to become the all-time leader in career saves.

Smith would hold the all-time lead in saves for over 13 years, until (on 9/24/06) he was surpassed by Trevor Hoffman. Smith had to work hard to record this particular save. The Cardinals had a 9-7 lead over the Dodgers in the bottom of the 9th. Thanks to an error, a walk and a double steal, the Dodgers had the tying runs in scoring position with two outs. Smith, however, got Tim Wallach to fly out to right field, making him the all-time save leader.

The Cardinals were out of contention again towards the end of of the season so the team traded their closer to the New York Yankees on August 31st. The Yankees, at the time, were just 1.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the A.L. East. In Smith’s first 11 games in pinstripes, the team either was losing or winning by 4 or more runs. It wasn’t until September 13th that Smith picked up his first save with the Yanks.

Lee Smith Hall of Fame Moment #9: Sept. 17, 1993 (Red Sox v Yankees)

On September 17th, the Yankees were still in contention but 3 games behind the Jays. On this evening, at Yankee Stadium, former Red Sox third baseman Wade Boggs (now with the Yankees) broke a 4-4 tie in the 8th inning on a RBI ground out.

Manager Buck Showalter brought in Smith to finish the game in the top of the 9th inning. The new Yankee closer retired the side in order to become the first pitcher in baseball history to record 400 saves.

The Yankees beat the Red Sox again the next night to hold pace with the Jays but proceeded to lose their next five games, dropping them out of contention, denying Smith another chance at October redemption.

Overall, for the 1993 campaign, Smith saved 46 games (43 in St. Louis, 3 in New York)

Lee Smith’s Final 4 Seasons (1994-97)

When Smith was traded to New York late in 1993, the Yankees were just the fourth team for whom he had pitched, following the Cubs, Red Sox and Cardinals. In his final four campaigns (1994-97), Smith became a true journeyman, pitching for four different squads.

In 1994, Smith signed a free agent contract with the Baltimore Orioles. In the strike-shortened season, Smith led the majors with 33 saves, making his 6th All-Star team along the way. In December ’94, Smith changed teams again by signing a free agent deal with the California Angels.

Lee Smith Hall of Fame Moment #10: June 11, 1995 (Angels v Orioles)

On a Sunday afternoon in June, pitching for the Angels, Smith was brought in to close out a game against his former teammates in Baltimore.  The Angels had a 5-4 lead going into the bottom of the 9th. Smith started the inning by walking Harold Baines, who will be joining Smith on stage in Cooperstown on Sunday.

After a bunt and a ground ball, pinch runner Brady Anderson was on 3rd base with 2 outs. After an intentional walk to Rafael Palmeiro, Smith got future Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. to fly out to center field to end the game. In his final milestone, this was Lee Smith’s 450th career save.

Final Years:

Lee Smith made his 7th All-Star squad as a member of the Angels in 1995. Overall, for the season, he saved 37 games to go with a 3.47 ERA. Smith returned to the Angels for the 1996 campaign but was traded early in the season to the Cincinnati Reds. For the first time since early in 1982, Smith was used in a set-up role, behind closer Jeff Brantley. Smith saved just 2 games in 43 appearances with the Reds.

Smith signed as a free agent with the Montreal Expos in January 1997. He appeared in 25 games for the Expos, saving 5 games while posting a 5.82 ERA. He recorded his 478th and final career save against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 10th.

In his final game, on July 2nd, 1997, Smith tossed 2 innings of scoreless ball (in the 11th and 12th innings) in what would be a 13 inning loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.

14 days later, not having been used in the interim, Smith announced that he was retiring. He was released by the Expos at the end of the season.

Smith, however, did attempt a comeback in the spring of 1998 with the Kansas City Royals. When the team asked him to spend a month in AAA, Smith decided not to and never pitched again.

Until researching this piece I had never seen Lee Smith in a Royals uniform so, for fun, I’m sharing the photo here.

Postscript

As former Rick Sutcliffe said in the video tribute prior to Lee Smith’s induction speech, Smith’s best ability was his “availability.” He was there to finish games for his teams for the middle 14 years of his 18 year career. As Sutcliffe eloquently stated, “when Lee Smith came into the ballgame, you knew that it was over and you knew that we were going to go home with the win.”

Smith’s induction speech was, to me, one of the most interesting and colorful of the six offered on induction Sunday. While none of the inducted players could match the emotion of Brandy Halladay’s speech in place of her late husband Roy, Smith’s speech eloquently told the story of how he became a major leaguer.

He let the assembled throng of fans and national TV audience know that Negro Leagues legend Buck O’Neil signed him to his first minor league contract, how Hall of Famer Billy Williams (a Cubs scout and not yet a Cooperstown inductee) talked him out of quitting. He praised teammate Fergie Jenkins (another future Hall of Famer) for being a great teammate, pitching coach and older brother, and for teaching him how to throw a curveball.

In his career, Lee Smith counted 15 different Hall of Fame players as teammates, including fellow 2019 inductees Harold Baines and Mike Mussina. It took a long time, but Smith finally is a Hall of Famer.

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