Dick Smith (smithdi02)

Richard Arthur Smith

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 205 lb.
• School Oregon State University
• High School Lebanon Union High School
• Debut July 20, 1963
• Final Game May 1, 1965
• Born May 17, 1939 in Lebanon, OR USA
• Died February 19, 2012 in Medford, OR USA

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Biographical Information

Dick Smith played three seasons in the big leagues, appearing in 76 games. He didn't hit a home run, but he had two triples and stole 9 bases. Along with pinch-hitting (16 games) and pinch-running (18 games) he played 20 games at each of 1B and LF with lesser numbers of games in CF and RF.

Born in Oregon, Dick attended Oregon State University and was signed by the Dodgers as a free agent in 1957. He played in the Dodgers' organization from 1957 (at age 18) to 1962. He had moderate power and once hit over .300. After the 1962 season, he was sold to the 1962 Mets and played in their organization in 1963-64, coming up to the big league Mets each year but spending most of each season with the Buffalo Bisons. In 1964 in 76 games he hit .307 with 9 home runs for the Bisons.

After the 1964 season, he was traded back to the Dodgers, and played 10 more games in the big leagues with the 1965 Dodgers. For most of 1965 and all of 1966 he played for the Dodgers' farm club in Spokane, the Spokane Indians. In early April 1967, he was traded to the Minnesota Twins organization and spent the year with their Denver Bears farm club. In 1968 he was in the Washington Senators organization, playing for the Savannah Senators at age 29.

In all, he had 12 seasons in the minors, hitting 120 home runs with a .265 average. He stole 200 bases and drew walks well.

This Dick Smith is Richard Arthur Smith, from Oregon. He should not be confused with Richard Harrison "Dick" Smith from Pennsylvania or Richard Kelly "Dick" Smith from North Carolina.