Dick Smith
Born: 7/21/1926 in Blandburg, PA, USA
Died: 1/25/2021 in Boalsburg, PA, USA
MLB Debut: 1951-09-14 | Final Game: 1955-05-01
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'8" | Weight: 160 lbs
Full name: Richard Harrison Smith
Biography
Dick Smith was a professional baseball player born in 1926, whose career spanned from 1951 to 1955. Primarily a position player, Smith made his mark in the Major Leagues during a transitional period in baseball history, just after World War II and before the significant shifts of the expansion era. Over the course of his career, Smith played in 70 games and recorded 25 hits, contributing 11 runs batted in. Despite not hitting any home runs and finishing with a batting average of .134, his presence on the field reflected the tenacity and determination characteristic of players during this era.
Smith's playing style was emblematic of the time, as he navigated the challenges of competing against a wave of talented players emerging in the post-war years. While his statistical contributions may not have placed him among the game's elite, his commitment to the sport and participation in the major leagues during a pivotal era adds to the rich tapestry of baseball history. His career, though brief, served as a reminder of the many players who contributed to the game in ways that transcended mere numbers.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 186 | 17 | 25 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 30 | 22 | 0.134 | 0.255 | 0.167 | 0.421 | -789.5 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | PIT | NL | 12 | 46 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0.174 | -239.2 |
| 1952 | PIT | NL | 29 | 66 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 0.106 | -550.3 |
| 1953 | PIT | NL | 13 | 43 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0.163 | 0.0 |
| 1954 | PIT | NL | 12 | 31 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 0.097 | 0.0 |
| 1955 | PIT | NL | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 4 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| 3B | 37 | 7 | 37 | 81 | 7 | 12 |
| SS | 18 | 0 | 23 | 70 | 4 | 14 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | PIT | 3B | 12 | 0 | 14 | 30 | 3 | 6 |
| 1952 | PIT | 2B | 4 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| 1952 | PIT | 3B | 16 | 0 | 16 | 30 | 2 | 3 |
| 1952 | PIT | SS | 4 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 1 | 4 |
| 1953 | PIT | SS | 13 | 0 | 18 | 56 | 3 | 10 |
| 1954 | PIT | 3B | 9 | 7 | 7 | 21 | 2 | 3 |
| 1955 | PIT | SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 4 |
| Third Base | 37 |
| Shortstop | 18 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania | Lock Haven | PA | 1949 |