Dwight Smith (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dwight Smith |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||
| Outfielder | |||
| Born: November 8, 1963 Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. |
|||
| Died: July 22, 2022 (aged 58) | |||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| May 1, 1989, for the Chicago Cubs | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 29, 1996, for the Atlanta Braves | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .275 | ||
| Home runs | 46 | ||
| Runs batted in | 226 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
John Dwight Smith Sr. (November 8, 1963 – July 22, 2022) was an American outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for four different teams between 1989 and 1996. He was best known for his time with the Chicago Cubs.
As a rookie with the Cubs, he hit very well. He helped his team win a division title. He was also a runner-up for the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year Award. Later in his career, he often played as a pinch hitter. He then joined the Atlanta Braves and helped them win the 1995 World Series. His son, Dwight Smith Jr., also became a major league outfielder.
Contents
Early Life and Baseball Start
Smith was born in Tallahassee, Florida. He was the youngest of four children in his family. His father passed away when Dwight was seven years old.
He went to Wade Hampton High School in Varnville, South Carolina. There, he played both baseball and football. After high school, he attended Spartanburg Methodist College in 1983. While playing college baseball for Spartanburg, he competed in the Junior College World Series.
Professional Baseball Career
Playing for the Chicago Cubs (1984–1993)
The Chicago Cubs chose Dwight Smith in the third round of the 1984 MLB draft. He started his professional journey in the minor leagues. He showed great speed, leading his league in stolen bases in his first year. He continued to play well in the minor leagues, hitting for a good average and stealing many bases. In 1987, he had an amazing year, hitting .377 with 18 home runs. He also led the league in stolen bases and runs scored.
The Cubs called Smith up to the major leagues in 1989. This happened because some players on the main team were injured. He made his first MLB appearance on May 1. As a rookie, he had a fantastic season, hitting .324 with nine home runs and 52 runs batted in. He finished second for the NL Rookie of the Year Award. His teammate Jerome Walton won the award. Smith played in the NL Championship Series, but the Cubs lost.
In 1990, Smith had a tougher season and lost his starting spot. He continued to play for the Cubs, often coming off the bench. In 1993, he had a strong year, hitting .300 with a career-high 11 home runs. After the 1993 season, the Cubs decided not to offer him a new contract. This made him a free agent.
Later Career and World Series Win (1994–1996)
Smith then signed with the California Angels for the 1994 season. He started in a shared role but later became a bench player. He asked for a trade and was sent to the Baltimore Orioles in June. Between both teams, he hit .281 with eight home runs.
In 1995, Smith joined the Atlanta Braves. He agreed to be a bench player for the team. He played in 103 games that season. The Braves had a great year and made it to the 1995 World Series. Smith played a small but important role, helping the Braves defeat the Cleveland Indians to win the championship. This was a major highlight of his career.
He played one more season with the Braves in 1996. After that, he did not get another major league contract offer. He tried to play for other teams, including the Tampa Bay Devil Rays minor league system and an independent baseball league team. He also played for the Rochester Red Wings, a minor league team, in 1998.
Personal Life and Interests
Dwight Smith had a talent for singing. He started singing in his church choir when he was four years old. During the baseball offseasons, he would sing in nightclubs and talent shows. He even sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" before two of his own games at Wrigley Field in 1989 and 1992. He also recorded a demo rhythm and blues album.
Smith and his wife Cheryl had three children: one son and two daughters. His son, Dwight Smith Jr., also became a professional baseball player and played in the major leagues.
Dwight Smith passed away on July 22, 2022. He was 58 years old.
