Tommy Smith (minors02)

Tommy Franklin Smith

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 205 lb.
• School Fort Smith Junior College
• Born August 27, 1943 in Barling, AR USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Catcher Tommy Smith played in the minor leagues from 1962 to 1971. He played at Triple-A in all or part of three seasons, but never made the major leagues.

He began his career in the St. Louis Cardinals system at 18 years old. In 1964, he played 100-plus games for the first time, slashing .297/.333/.406 with 3 home runs and 46 RBI in 106 games for the Raleigh Cardinals. The next year, he reached Triple-A for the first time, hitting .210/.236/.271 in 81 games for the Jacksonville Suns. He joined the Chicago White Sox system in 1966, then returned to the Cardinals chain for 1967. He played in the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs chain in 1968. Then, he must have rejoined the Cardinals system following the season, as the Astros reacquired him alongside catcher Johnny Edwards on October 11 in exchange for catcher Dave Adlesh and pitcher Dave Giusti. On December 16, he was flipped with catcher Buck Martinez and fellow minor leaguer Mike Sinnerud to the Kansas City Royals for 1967's #5 overall draft selection, catcher Johnny Jones. After a year in the Royals' chain, he was taken by the Pittsfield Red Sox of the Boston Red Sox in the Double-A round of the 1969 Rule V Draft. He never played in the Red Sox chain, however, spending 1970 in the San Diego Padres system. He returned to the Royals chain in 1971 to wrap up his career.

Overall, Smith hit .257 with 57 home runs and 313 RBI over 10 seasons. He played 100 or more games only three times, in 1964, 1967 and 1970.

His brother, catcher Hal Smith, made two All-Star Games at the major league level. Another brother, Ronald Smith, played in the minor leagues.