Roberto Smalls

Roberto Rojas Ventura Smalls

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 170 lb.

• Born September 17, 1970, in U.S. Virgin Islands

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

As a youth, pitcher Roberto Smalls was once featured in the "Faces in the Crowd" section of Sports Illustrated for throwing five straight no-hitters. Known then as Roberto Ventura, he was attending Piney Woods (Miss.) Country Life High.

Smalls was a third-round pick of the Cubs in 1988. However, he never amounted to much in the minors -- he got mixed up in the drug ring that his brothers ran on St. Thomas, killed a rival gangster in 1994, and went to prison. His sentence: life, without parole.

Inside prison, Smalls came to be considered a model inmate. He was one of the organizers of a successful basketball league. He also spoke to students about staying in school and steering clear drugs and violence. That September, however, he faced contraband charges for hiding smartphones and debit cards in his cell.

On February 22, 2014, at Al McBean Ballpark in St. Thomas, Smalls spoke at the Little League Opening Day ceremony. He shared his personal story and again encouraged the youths not to be lured by the street life.

Reference

• Faces in the Crowd (Sports Illustrated, May 25, 1987)
• Roberto Smalls, His Message
• Convicted murderer Roberto Smalls faces contraband charges for cellphones, debit cards
• Caribbean News: Roberto “Rabbie” Smalls Speaks At The USVI Little League Season Opening (February 26, 2014)