Harry Smith (smithha06)

James Harry Smith

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 180 lb.

• Debut September 21, 1914
• Final Game June 23, 1918
• Born May 15, 1890 in Baltimore, MD USA
• Died April 1, 1922 in Charlotte, NC USA

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Biographical Information

Harry Smith played four seasons in the majors, primarily as a catcher, getting 148 at-bats.

Smith was born in Baltimore, MD and by age 22 was playing pro ball in the New England League. He came up to the majors originally with John McGraw's 1914 New York Giants and hit .429 in five games. 33-year-old Chief Meyers was the regular catcher that year for the Giants.

Smith played in 21 more games for the 1915 Giants and jumped to the 1915 Federal League where he appeared in 28 games.

In 1917 he hit .334 for Fort Wayne, and came back to the majors with the 1917 Cincinnati Reds. He also appeared in 13 games with the 1918 Reds. The Reds in 1917 and most of 1918 were managed by Christy Mathewson, who had been a pitcher with the Giants in 1914-15.

Harry played for Akron, Reading and Newark after his major league days.

He died of pneumonia in 1922.

Smith is, as of 2009, the last of four major leaguers named Harry Smith.