Mike Smithson
Born: 1/21/1955 in Centerville, TN, USA
MLB Debut: 1982-08-27 | Final Game: 1989-09-28
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'8" | Weight: 215 lbs
Full name: Billy Mike Smithson
Biography
Mike Smithson, born in 1955, was a professional baseball pitcher whose career spanned from 1982 to 1989. Known for his competitive spirit and durability on the mound, Smithson played a significant role during a transitional period in Major League Baseball characterized by the evolving strategies of pitching and offensive play. Over his career, he amassed a record of 76 wins and 86 losses, with an earned run average (ERA) of 4.58. Smithson demonstrated his ability to handle pressure situations, recording 731 strikeouts and contributing with 2 saves throughout his tenure.
Smithson's playing style was marked by consistency and an ability to eat innings, often serving as a reliable option for his teams. Although he did not achieve superstar status, his contributions were vital during the late 1980s, a time when the game was witnessing a shift towards more specialized pitching roles. His legacy lies in his determination and the impact he had on the teams he played for, as he navigated the challenges of a competitive era in baseball. Smithson retired from professional play on September 28, 1989, leaving behind a career that reflected both the struggles and triumphs of a dedicated athlete in Major League Baseball.
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | 86 | 240 | 204 | 41 | 6 | 2 | 1356.3 | 1473 | 690 | 168 | 383 | 731 | 4.58 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | TEX | AL | 3 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 46.7 | 51 | 26 | 13 | 24 | 5.01 | -290.4 |
| 1983 | TEX | AL | 10 | 14 | 33 | 33 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 223.3 | 233 | 97 | 71 | 135 | 3.91 | 2628.9 |
| 1984 | MIN | AL | 15 | 13 | 36 | 36 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 252.0 | 246 | 103 | 54 | 144 | 3.68 | -2372.4 |
| 1985 | MIN | AL | 15 | 14 | 37 | 37 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 257.0 | 264 | 124 | 78 | 127 | 4.34 | -1033.1 |
| 1986 | MIN | AL | 13 | 14 | 34 | 33 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 198.0 | 234 | 105 | 57 | 114 | 4.77 | -2214.3 |
| 1987 | MIN | AL | 4 | 7 | 21 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 109.0 | 126 | 72 | 38 | 53 | 5.94 | -2580.4 |
| 1988 | BOS | AL | 9 | 6 | 31 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 126.7 | 149 | 84 | 37 | 73 | 5.97 | -4766.4 |
| 1989 | BOS | AL | 7 | 14 | 40 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 143.7 | 170 | 79 | 35 | 61 | 4.95 | -3857.8 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 240 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | TEX | AL | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1983 | TEX | AL | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1984 | MIN | AL | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1985 | MIN | AL | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1986 | MIN | AL | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1987 | MIN | AL | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1988 | BOS | AL | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1989 | BOS | AL | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | ALCS | BOS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
Playoff Career Pitching
| W | L | G | GS | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2.3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 |
Playoff Pitching by Year
| Year | Round | Team | W | L | G | GS | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | ALCS | BOS | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2.3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 240 | 204 | 86 | 168 | 12 | 17 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | TEX | P | 8 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1983 | TEX | P | 33 | 33 | 19 | 33 | 2 | 3 |
| 1984 | MIN | P | 36 | 36 | 17 | 29 | 2 | 2 |
| 1985 | MIN | P | 37 | 37 | 16 | 28 | 2 | 4 |
| 1986 | MIN | P | 34 | 33 | 10 | 32 | 2 | 4 |
| 1987 | MIN | P | 21 | 20 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 1 |
| 1988 | BOS | P | 31 | 18 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 0 |
| 1989 | BOS | P | 40 | 19 | 9 | 19 | 1 | 3 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 240 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | CAL | AL | $480,000 |
| 1989 | BOS | AL | $540,000 |
| 1986 | MIN | AL | $450,000 |
| 1985 | MIN | AL | $335,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $1,805,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Tennessee | Knoxville | TN | 1975, 1976 |