Tal Smith

Talbot Smith

• School Duke University
• High School Culver Military Academy

• Born September 27, 1933 in Framingham, MA USA

Biographical Information

Tal Smith was one of the original employees of the Houston Colt .45s. He was the farm director in 1962-1963 and assistant to the president in 1964-1965. From 1965 to 1967, Smith was General Manager of the team, now known as the Houston Astros. He was assistant GM from 1968 to 1972.

From 1974 to 1975, Smith was Co-GM of the New York Yankees along with Gabe Paul. Upon leaving the Yankees, he served as second stint as the Astros General Manager, holding that position until 1980. This was after original owner Roy Hofheinz had lost control of the team to creditors, led by the Ford Motor Credit Company. The new owners' principal, Bill Odom, let the experienced Smith run all baseball operations, while concentrating on his main task, which was to find a permanent owner for the team at a decent price. This took place when John McMullen became the lead owner in 1979, but he soon ran into conflict with Smith and fired him less than year later.

In 1994, with McMullen having sold out his interests to Drayton McLane, Smith became President of the Astros. On August 27, 2007, Smith was chosen as interim General Manager for the Astros, replacing Tim Purpura. Ed Wade was hired as the GM in September.

Shortly after Jim Crane's purchase of the Astros from McLane was confirmed, Smith was fired alongside his protégé Wade on November 27, 2011. The team was coming off the worst season in its history. He was replaced by George Postolos.

His son, Randy Smith, is a former GM of the San Diego Padres and Detroit Tigers.

Preceded by Paul Richards

Houston Astros General Manager 1966-1967

Succeeded by Spec Richardson

Preceded by Lee MacPhail

New York Yankees General Manager 1974-1975

Succeeded by Gabe Paul

Preceded by Spec Richardson

Houston Astros General Manager 1975-1980

Succeeded by Al Rosen

Related Sites

• Astros bio