Mac Smith

Raymond Charles Smith

• Bats Right, Throws Right

• School Appalachian State Teachers College

• Died July 2, 1954 in Hagerstown, MD USA

Minors BR page

Biographical Information

Catcher Mac Smith played several seasons of minor league ball.

Smith played football in college. He hit .250/.329/.362 for the 1950 Hickory Rebels to begin his pro baseball career, fielding .972 at catcher. In '51, he batted .250 and slugged .344 for Hickory. He served two years in the Marines during the Korean War, earning two Purple Hearts, a Navy Cross and a President Citation. He played two games for Hickory in 1954 but spent most of the year with the Hagerstown Packets (.227/.314/.347 in 50 G). While playing for the Packets on July 2, 1954, he was playing third base. He drove in a run with a single but began feeling dizzy as he reached first, called time and then collapsed on the field. He died on the way to the hospital. Doctors concluded he had contracted malaria in Korea which led to his death.

Sources

• 1951 and 1955 Baseball Guides
• Appalachian State
• Death At The Ballpark