Charley Smith – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Charley Smith wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1969 after playing for seven different teams across a decade. That made him one of the most well-traveled players of his time. The third baseman from Charleston, South Carolina, spent his final season with the Chicago Cubs, showing up in just two games before calling it quits at 32.

Smith bounced around professional baseball, starting with the Los Angeles Dodgers and then moving on to the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, and finally the Cubs. He put up a .239 batting average, 69 home runs, and 281 RBIs, but those numbers only scratch the surface of his journey through the highs and pitfalls of 1960s baseball.

Looking at Smith’s career, you can see the path of a dedicated athlete who navigated the unpredictable world of Major League Baseball during a decade of big changes. From his first days breaking into the majors to his best years with the Mets, Smith’s story gives you a peek into the life of a journeyman player who managed to leave a mark on seven franchises.

Early Life and Background

Charles William Smith was born on September 15, 1937, in Charleston, South Carolina. He found his love for baseball as a kid and kept chasing it through his youth.

At Chicora High School, Smith’s athletic talents stood out. Scouts from pro teams noticed him, so he ended up signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization.

Childhood in Charleston, South Carolina

Charles William Smith arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, on September 15, 1937. He grew up in the coastal city during the 1940s and early 1950s, and baseball quickly became his passion.

Charleston, back then, offered a great environment for young ballplayers. The city had a strong tradition of youth leagues and plenty of local competition.

Smith’s athletic ability showed up early. He spent hours practicing and sharpening his skills on Charleston’s baseball diamonds.

He looked like a future pro, especially as an infielder. His defense and bat set him apart from other kids in the local leagues.

High School and Amateur Baseball

Smith went to Chicora High School in Charleston and made a name for himself on the baseball team. College recruiters and pro scouts both took notice.

At Chicora, he played mostly third base and shortstop. At six-foot-one and with a right-handed swing, he made pitchers nervous.

His batting average and defense during high school turned heads. Smith kept up strong performances even against the best teams in South Carolina.

He didn’t just stop at high school ball. Smith joined local semi-pro leagues in the summers, facing off against older, more experienced players to keep improving.

Signing with Brooklyn Dodgers

Smith’s high school play caught Brooklyn Dodgers scouts’ attention. The organization didn’t waste time and signed him.

He became one of the last players the Brooklyn Dodgers signed before the team moved to Los Angeles. That timing put him in a pretty unique spot in baseball history.

Signing with the Dodgers was a big deal for Smith and his family. Suddenly, pro baseball offered opportunities that went way beyond Charleston’s local scene.

Smith started his pro career in 1957 with the Class C Reno Silver Sox when he was 19. That kicked off his long journey through the minors toward his Major League debut.

Professional Baseball Career Timeline

Smith played professional baseball for nine seasons, from 1960 to 1969, and suited up for seven different teams. He started as a September call-up with the Los Angeles Dodgers and later played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox before bouncing around the league.

Debut with Los Angeles Dodgers

Smith made his major league debut on September 8, 1960, with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a late-season call-up. He was one of the last players the Brooklyn Dodgers signed before they moved to Los Angeles.

He started out as a shortstop but switched to third base in 1960 while with the Spokane Indians. Over four years in the Dodgers’ farm system, Smith put up a .293 batting average, 73 home runs, and 330 RBIs.

Smith didn’t get a hit in his first major league game, but he still managed to drive in two runs. In 18 games during that call-up, he went 10-for-60 with five RBIs.

Smith hit his first major league home run in dramatic fashion during his first start of 1961. He took St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Curt Simmons deep to left center for a milestone blast.

Philadelphia Phillies Era

The Dodgers traded Smith and outfielder Don Demeter to the Philadelphia Phillies just 20 games into the 1961 season. In return, the Dodgers got relief pitcher Turk Farrell and infielder Joe Koppe.

Smith had to fight for the third base job as soon as he got to Philadelphia. He battled Bob Sadowski and Jim Woods for the spot.

By mid-June, Smith won the starting third base job with the Phillies. He finished the year with a .248 average, nine home runs, and 47 RBIs, though the team lost a whopping 107 games.

Smith’s time with the Phillies lasted just one season. That off-season, he and pitcher John Buzhardt were traded to the Chicago White Sox for slugging first baseman Roy Sievers.

Stint with Chicago White Sox

Smith’s run with the Chicago White Sox started rough—he went 0-for-26 to open 1962. Manager Al López responded by moving left fielder Al Smith to third and benching Charley.

Smith played in 65 games in 1962 with the White Sox. He hit .207 with just two home runs and 17 RBIs in limited action.

On June 5, 1962, Smith had his best game with the Sox against the Los Angeles Angels. He went 3-for-4, broke a 1-1 tie with an RBI single, tied it again 5-5 with a two-RBI single, and then drove in the winning run with his third single of the day.

In 1963, things didn’t get easier—Smith was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis Indians after striking out as a pinch hitter on April 16. He returned in September and went 2-for-6 with an RBI triple.

Two games into the 1964 season, the White Sox traded Smith to the New York Mets for shortstop Chico Fernández and minor league catcher Bobby Catton.

New York Mets Achievements

Smith became the Mets’ main third baseman for two seasons (1964-65), leading the team in home runs his first year and hitting several personal milestones. Playing for a struggling franchise, he showed off his power and played a big part in the team’s early years.

Career Highs with the Mets

Smith hit his peak with the Mets. In 1964, he smacked 20 home runs, leading the team and setting a personal best.

His 1965 season was even better offensively. Smith picked up a career-high 122 hits and drove in 62 runs, leading the Mets in RBIs that year.

Third base became home for Smith in New York. He played 85 games there in 1964 and 131 in 1965, giving the team some much-needed stability at the spot.

Smith’s glove improved a lot in his second year. He posted the National League’s fourth-best fielding percentage at .957 in 1965, making only 18 errors in 418 chances.

Notable Performances and Statistics

Smith had some big games with the Mets. On May 26, 1964, he drove in five runs during a 19-1 win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

His first multi-homer game came on August 17, 1964, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Smith hit two home runs and drove in four runs in a 5-0 shutout at Shea Stadium.

Key Statistical Achievements:

• 1964: .239 average, 20 home runs, 58 RBIs
• 1965: .244 average, 16 home runs, 62 RBIs
• Career-high 122 hits in 1965
• Led the team in home runs (1964) and RBIs (1965)

Smith struck out a lot, fanning over 100 times in both seasons and ranking among the league’s top ten in strikeouts. After 1965, the Mets traded Smith and Al Jackson to the St. Louis Cardinals for 1964 MVP Ken Boyer.

Trades, Key Transactions, and Major League Journey

Charley Smith’s career involved plenty of team changes, with some big trades—including a deal to the St. Louis Cardinals and another to the New York Yankees that involved Hall of Famer Roger Maris. He wrapped up his career with short stints in San Francisco and Chicago.

St. Louis Cardinals Trade

Smith joined the St. Louis Cardinals in a trade that shook up both teams’ infields. The Cardinals brought him in to strengthen their third base during the mid-1960s.

He played with the Cardinals while they chased championships. Smith found himself surrounded by stars and contributed to the team’s solid defense.

The trade paid off for both sides at first. Smith brought veteran experience and steady defense to St. Louis.

He kept his batting average steady while adapting to the Cardinals’ system.

Roger Maris and the New York Yankees

The biggest trade of Smith’s career came when he was sent to the New York Yankees in exchange for Roger Maris. That December 1966 deal was a major moment for both teams.

Smith arrived in New York as the Yankees tried to rebuild their infield. The trade pretty much closed the book on the Yankees’ home run era with Maris.

In 1967, Smith became the Yankees’ main third baseman. He played his only full season in New York, appearing in 130 games and batting .224.

Playing at Yankee Stadium gave Smith his highest profile, even though the team struggled during that time.

Final Season with San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs

Smith’s career wound down with short stints on two National League teams in 1969. He finished with the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs.

The Giants picked up Smith late in his career for some extra infield depth. He mostly served as a utility guy and pinch-hitter.

Smith’s last major league appearance came with the Chicago Cubs on April 22, 1969. He played just a handful of games there before retiring.

These moves were pretty typical for veteran players near the end of their careers. Smith offered some experience while younger guys came up from the minors.

His last season added up to only a few games with both teams. Smith’s decade-long major league run ended quietly in Chicago.

Playing Style and Career Statistics

Charley Smith carved out a reputation as a reliable third baseman during his 10-year Major League career from 1960 to 1969. His defensive skills at third base got better over time, and his power at the plate made him a solid contributor—even if his .239 career average wasn’t flashy.

Defensive Strengths at Third Base

Smith’s defense at third base got noticeably better as the years went by. Early on with the Mets, he struggled, making 23 errors in 1964, which was the fourth-most among National League third basemen.

By 1965, though, his fielding had improved a lot. Smith posted the league’s fourth-best fielding percentage at .957, with just 18 errors in 418 chances. He turned 27 double plays that year, up by 10 from the previous season.

Career Defensive Statistics:

• 623 games at third base
• 105 total errors in 1,912 chances
• .945 career fielding percentage

Smith didn’t just stick to third base. He played 61 games at shortstop and 13 in the outfield during his career. The Mets especially took advantage of his flexibility, plugging him in at multiple positions, including second base when needed.

Batting Performance and Home Run Record

Smith built his offensive game around power hitting more than batting average. He wrapped up his career with 69 home runs and 281 RBIs in 771 games.

His .239 batting average came from 594 total hits.

The Mets saw his best power seasons. In 1964, Smith led the team with 20 home runs, and he knocked 11 of those at the new Shea Stadium.

He kept the momentum going in 1965, smacking 16 home runs, just behind rookie Ron Swoboda.

Notable Power Achievements:

• Career-high 5 RBIs in a single game (May 26, 1964)
• Two career multi-home run games
• 20 home runs in the 1964 season

Smith struggled with plate discipline throughout his career. He struck out 565 times and only walked 130 times.

That led to a .279 on-base percentage and a .649 OPS.

During his Mets years, his strikeout numbers landed him among the National League’s highest.

Legacy, Impact, and Life After Baseball

Charley Smith stepped away from baseball in 1969 after playing for seven different teams over a decade. He moved to Nevada and lived a quiet life until his death in 1994.

Post-Retirement Years

After baseball, Smith settled in Reno, Nevada, with his wife Carol and their two children, Suzanne and Brian.

He kept a low profile and avoided the public eye during retirement.

Smith didn’t go into coaching or broadcasting like some former players do. He simply focused on family life in Nevada.

The former third baseman dealt with health issues later on. In 1994, Smith had knee surgery at a Nevada hospital.

He died from complications after the procedure on November 29, 1994, at age 57.

Smith passed away relatively young compared to many of his baseball peers. By then, he’d been out of the game for 25 years.

Influence on Teammates and the Game

Smith made his biggest mark on baseball through the trades he was part of. The swap for Roger Maris in December 1966 remains one of the era’s more memorable deals.

He played alongside a bunch of teammates, some of whom went on to become much bigger names. His journey through different teams gave him a front-row seat to a mix of playing styles and coaching philosophies.

Smith pulled off a rare feat by playing for both New York teams and both Chicago teams. Only Dick Tidrow matched that accomplishment.

His 20 home runs for the 1964 Mets made him the team’s power leader during a tough season.

That year, he really established himself as a steady offensive presence during the franchise’s early, challenging days.

Remembrance and Tributes

Smith built his legacy by moving through seven different Major League teams in the 1960s. He really captured the era’s player movement and the constant struggle to find steady playing time.

He hit for a career average of .239, with 69 home runs and 281 RBIs across 771 games. I’d say those stats made him a dependable role player, not a superstar, but solid enough for his generation.

Baseball historians still talk about Smith as a fixture in the 1960s baseball scene. When he debuted on September 8, 1960, he became the first student from Chicora High School to make it to the major leagues.

He died at 57, which feels way too soon. Smith’s story really makes you think about how much professional sports can wear down athletes, even after they step away from the game.