Bill Smiley

William B. Smiley

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
• Height 5' 8", Weight 140 lb.

• Debut October 13, 1874
• Final Game September 30, 1882
• Born 1856 in Baltimore, MD USA
• Died July 11, 1884 in Baltimore, MD USA

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Biographical Information

Bill Smiley was with the 1874 Baltimore Canaries of the National Association, and eight years later played with two teams in the major league American Association. In all, he was in 77 games, mostly as a second baseman. He also played for non-major league teams for many years.

"THE Virginia players last week in their games, on their right brests (sic) wore black badges, out of re­spect of their late fellow-player, W. B. Smiley. . . It is said that W. B. Smiley, the ball player, left $2,200, the amount of his savings during his base ball career. . . WM.B. SMILEY. second baseman of the Virginias died July 11th at his mother's residence, in Balti­more, from an attack of rheumatism in the region of the heart. Smiley was quite popular in base ball circles, and formerly played with the St. Louis and Worcesters, and season before last played with the Quicksteps, of Wilmington. He had been in Richmond for two seasons playing with the Vir­ginias, and during that time became quite a favor­ite there. In Smiley's death the Virginias have lost one of their best players." - Sporting Life, July 23, 1884