Syd Smith
Born: 8/31/1883 in Smithville, SC, USA
Died: 6/5/1961 in Orangeburg, SC, USA
MLB Debut: 1908-04-14 | Final Game: 1915-04-18
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 190 lbs
Full name: Sydney A. Smith
Biography
Syd Smith was a professional baseball player who made his mark in the early 20th century, an era characterized by the transition from the deadball era to a more offensive style of play. Born in 1883, Smith's career spanned from 1908 until his retirement in 1915. During this period, he played in 146 games, amassing a total of 98 hits and achieving a batting average of .247. His contributions to his teams included 40 runs batted in and 2 home runs, highlighting his capability as a reliable position player.
Although Smith's career statistics may not place him among the game's greatest, he played a significant role during a time when baseball was evolving. With 2 stolen bases to his name, he demonstrated a willingness to be aggressive on the basepaths, a trait that was valued in the early years of professional baseball. Smith's tenure in the sport also coincided with the growing popularity of baseball in America, making him a part of the fabric of the game during a transformative period. After retiring on April 18, 1915, Smith left behind a legacy as a player who contributed to the rich history of early baseball.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 146 | 397 | 24 | 98 | 21 | 1 | 2 | 40 | 2 | 22 | 19 | 0.247 | 0.291 | 0.320 | 0.611 | -394.7 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 | PHA | AL | 46 | 128 | 8 | 26 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 0.203 | -292.1 |
| 1908 | SLA | AL | 27 | 76 | 6 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 0.184 | -292.1 |
| 1910 | CLE | AL | 9 | 27 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0.333 | 0.0 |
| 1911 | CLE | AL | 58 | 154 | 8 | 46 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0.299 | 161.2 |
| 1914 | PIT | NL | 5 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.273 | 0.0 |
| 1915 | PIT | NL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 7 | 6 | 57 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C | 115 | 55 | 610 | 149 | 18 | 20 |
| OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 | PHA | C | 31 | 24 | 158 | 39 | 5 | 6 |
| 1908 | PHA | 1B | 6 | 6 | 57 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 1908 | PHA | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1908 | SLA | C | 24 | 24 | 137 | 32 | 4 | 1 |
| 1910 | CLE | C | 9 | 7 | 33 | 13 | 2 | 3 |
| 1911 | CLE | C | 48 | 0 | 270 | 62 | 7 | 10 |
| 1911 | CLE | 1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1911 | CLE | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1914 | PIT | C | 3 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 115 |
| First Base | 7 |
| Third Base | 1 |
| Center Field | 1 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina | Columbia | SC | 1902, 1903 |