Paul Smith
Born: 3/19/1931 in New Castle, PA, USA
Died: 8/18/2019 in Conroe, TX, USA
MLB Debut: 1953-04-14 | Final Game: 1958-06-07
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 5'8" | Weight: 165 lbs
Full name: Paul Leslie Smith
Biography
Paul Smith was a professional baseball player born in 1931, who played in Major League Baseball from 1953 until 1958. He was primarily a position player, known for his versatility on the field. Smith's career spanned a period that was marked by the transition into the modern era of baseball, as the game began to embrace new styles of play and increased athleticism. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 223 games, where he recorded 152 hits, 7 home runs, and 56 RBIs, finishing with a batting average of .270. His ability to contribute both offensively and defensively made him a valuable asset to his teams.
Smith's playing style was characterized by a solid approach at the plate, as evidenced by his respectable batting average. He also showcased his speed with 3 stolen bases during his career, indicating his ability to create scoring opportunities. While his time in the majors was relatively brief, his contributions during the mid-1950s reflected the evolving dynamics of baseball, as players began to adopt more aggressive strategies. After concluding his career on June 7, 1958, Smith's legacy remained part of the rich tapestry of baseball history during a time of significant change in the sport.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 223 | 562 | 54 | 152 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 56 | 3 | 42 | 44 | 0.270 | 0.326 | 0.361 | 0.687 | -511.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | PIT | NL | 118 | 389 | 41 | 110 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 44 | 3 | 24 | 23 | 0.283 | -300.3 |
| 1957 | PIT | NL | 81 | 150 | 12 | 38 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 12 | 17 | 0.253 | -210.8 |
| 1958 | CHC | NL | 18 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0.150 | 0.0 |
| 1958 | PIT | NL | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.333 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 79 | 2 | 637 | 54 | 11 | 53 |
| OF | 52 | 24 | 83 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | PIT | 1B | 74 | 0 | 622 | 52 | 10 | 53 |
| 1953 | PIT | OF | 19 | 0 | 31 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1957 | PIT | 1B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1957 | PIT | OF | 33 | 24 | 52 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1958 | CHN | 1B | 4 | 2 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 78 |
| Left Field | 34 |
| Center Field | 2 |
| Right Field | 20 |