George Smith
Born: 7/7/1937 in St. Petersburg, FL, USA
Died: 6/15/1987 in St. Petersburg, FL, USA
MLB Debut: 1963-08-04 | Final Game: 1966-09-17
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 170 lbs
Full name: George Cornelius Smith
Biography
George Smith was a professional baseball player who played as a position player in Major League Baseball from 1963 to 1966. Born in 1937, Smith's career spanned a period of significant change in the game, transitioning from the tail end of the deadball era into a more power-oriented style of play. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 217 games, accumulating a total of 130 hits. Smith demonstrated a modest power potential, hitting 9 home runs and driving in 57 runs, while also showcasing his speed with 9 stolen bases.
Despite a career batting average of .205, Smith's contributions to his teams extended beyond mere statistics. He was known for his versatility on the field, which allowed him to fill various roles as needed. His playing style reflected the gritty, hard-nosed attitude of the era, where every player’s effort was essential to team success. Although not a household name, Smith's journey through the majors during a transformative time in baseball history adds to the rich tapestry of the sport's narrative.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 217 | 634 | 64 | 130 | 27 | 6 | 9 | 57 | 9 | 59 | 142 | 0.205 | 0.277 | 0.309 | 0.586 | -1570.7 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | DET | AL | 52 | 171 | 16 | 37 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 4 | 18 | 34 | 0.216 | -357.1 |
| 1964 | DET | AL | 5 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0.286 | 0.0 |
| 1965 | DET | AL | 32 | 53 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 0.094 | -484.9 |
| 1966 | BOS | AL | 128 | 403 | 41 | 86 | 19 | 4 | 8 | 37 | 4 | 37 | 86 | 0.213 | -728.6 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 186 | 165 | 391 | 480 | 23 | 116 |
| 3B | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| SS | 22 | 13 | 30 | 45 | 7 | 9 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | DET | 2B | 52 | 52 | 120 | 157 | 5 | 28 |
| 1964 | DET | 2B | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| 1965 | DET | 2B | 22 | 11 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 10 |
| 1965 | DET | 3B | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1965 | DET | SS | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1966 | BOS | 2B | 109 | 101 | 239 | 287 | 17 | 76 |
| 1966 | BOS | SS | 19 | 13 | 29 | 44 | 7 | 9 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 186 |
| Third Base | 3 |
| Shortstop | 22 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University | East Lansing | MI | 1954, 1955 |