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

Bobby Gene Smith wrapped up his Major League Baseball career on July 17, 1965. He took his final at-bat for the California Angels against the Chicago White Sox.

The outfielder from Hood River, Oregon, spent eight seasons in the majors. He played for five different teams and appeared in 376 games between 1957 and 1965.

Smith’s retirement ended a journeyman career where he put together a .243 batting average with 13 home runs and 96 RBIs, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Angels. He had his best seasons with Philadelphia, showing flashes of the talent that brought him to the major leagues as a 22-year-old rookie.

Smith played the role of a solid utility player, the kind of guy teams really needed back then. His career stats paint a picture of someone who chipped in for several teams as baseball shifted from the 1950s into the 1960s.

He got to experience both the ups and downs of pro baseball during a pretty interesting time in the sport’s history.

Early Life and Background

Bobby Gene Smith was born on May 28, 1934, in Hood River, Oregon. He spent both his early years and his last days there.

His journey from small-town Oregon to Major League Baseball started in the Columbia River Gorge region. Eventually, it led him to sign professional contracts.

Birthplace and Childhood in Hood River, Oregon

Smith was born in Hood River, Oregon, a small city right along the Columbia River. The community is known for its farming roots and amazing scenery, and it gave Smith a down-to-earth start.

Back in the 1930s and 1940s, Hood River was a close-knit place. Kids there often played sports for fun, and the mild climate meant they could get outside most of the year.

Smith grew up throwing and batting right-handed. As he got older, he reached 5 feet 11 inches and weighed about 180 pounds, which was a pretty good size for an outfielder in those days.

He always kept strong ties to his hometown. After baseball, he moved back to Hood River and lived there until he passed away on November 24, 2015, at 81.

Journey to Professional Baseball

Details about Smith’s amateur baseball days and his path to professional baseball are a bit scarce. Still, he showed enough talent to catch the attention of Major League scouts by the mid-1950s.

Smith signed his first pro contract and made his Major League debut on April 16, 1957, with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was just 22.

That debut came early in his career, so he must’ve had some standout skills that helped him move up fast through the minors.

Going from Hood River to the big leagues was a big leap for a young American professional baseball player. It took more than just athletic ability; he had to mentally prepare for everything pro sports would throw at him.

Bobby Smith ended up playing for several teams over his eight-year career. He showed a knack for adapting, something he probably started learning way back when he first left home for baseball.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Bobby Gene Smith spent eight seasons in Major League Baseball from 1957 to 1965. He played 376 games as an outfielder for five teams.

He made his debut with the St. Louis Cardinals. Later, he played for the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Angels.

MLB Debut and Teams Played For

Smith kicked off his major league career on April 16, 1957, with the St. Louis Cardinals at 22. That debut was one to remember—he notched 2 hits in 5 at-bats, including a home run and 2 RBIs against the Cincinnati Reds.

The Cardinals were his main team. He played for St. Louis from 1957-1959 and came back again in 1962.

Between his time with the Cardinals, Smith played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1960-1961. He did his best work in Philadelphia.

Smith became an original member of the New York Mets in the 1961 Major League Baseball expansion draft. They picked him 32nd, but his stint with the Mets was short.

Just two weeks and eight games into the 1962 season, the Mets traded him to the Chicago Cubs on April 26. The Cubs sent him back to the Cardinals on June 5 that same year.

His last major league game came on July 17, 1965, with the Los Angeles Angels. He finished up at age 31.

Primary Position and Playing Style

Smith played outfield his whole major league career. Left field was his main spot.

He stood 5 feet 11 inches and weighed 180 pounds. As a right-handed batter and thrower, Smith gave his teams some flexibility in the outfield.

He focused more on steady defense than putting up big offensive stats. During his 1962 return to the Cardinals, Smith often came in late as a replacement for Stan Musial in left field.

That role showed he was reliable on defense, especially when games were on the line.

People often called him “Bobby Gene Smith” to tell him apart from others with similar names. In 1958, three Bob Smiths played in the Majors at the same time—two were pitchers for the Pirates and Red Sox.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Smith’s top season came in 1960 with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was the team’s semi-regular left fielder and put up career highs.

1960 Season Highlights:

• Hits: 62 (career high)
• Home runs: 4 (career high)
• RBIs: 27 (career high)
• Batting average: .286 (career high)

His career stats include 234 major league hits, 35 doubles, 5 triples, and 13 home runs. Over eight years, he batted .243 and drove in 96 runs.

Smith also took part in the 1961 Major League Baseball expansion draft as one of the original New York Mets. That draft helped launch a franchise that would become a big part of baseball history.

He kept playing in the minors until 1967. Over his ten-year minor league career, he hit above .300, showing the kind of skill that got him to the majors in the first place.

Performance Statistics and Notable Seasons

Bobby Smith’s eight-year MLB run gave him a .243 batting average, 13 home runs, and 96 RBIs in 376 games. His best offensive years were with the Cardinals and Cubs in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Batting Average and Major-League Hits

Smith stuck around a .243 batting average from 1957 to 1965. That was just a bit below average for outfielders back then.

The right-handed hitter collected hits for multiple teams. He made enough contact to help as a role player wherever he landed.

Smith wasn’t a power guy—he focused on consistent contact. He hit and threw right-handed, stood 5-11, and weighed 180 pounds during his career.

Home Runs, Runs Batted In and Extra-Base Hits

Smith’s power numbers stayed pretty modest. He hit 13 home runs over eight seasons—less than two a year.

His 96 RBIs mostly came from situational hitting, not big blasts. Smith was the kind of hitter who could move runners over and bring them home when it counted.

He wasn’t known for extra-base hits, either. His doubles and triples just added to his reputation as a steady, singles-first contributor.

Best Seasons and Standout Performances

Smith’s rookie season in 1957 with the Cardinals gave him his biggest shot. He broke through rookie limits that year and made his mark.

His last game was July 17, 1965, against the Chicago White Sox while with the Los Angeles Angels. He went 0-for-1 at age 31.

Smith’s career took him to the Cardinals, Cubs, Phillies, Mets, and Angels. He had his most productive years in the early 1960s when he got more regular playing time.

Team Contributions and Key Moments

Bobby Smith made his biggest impact with three teams. His best year came with the Phillies in 1960, and he played a unique role as Stan Musial‘s late-inning replacement for the Cardinals.

Philadelphia Phillies Tenure

Smith’s best seasons happened with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1960 to 1961. The 1960 season was his high point as the team’s semi-regular left fielder.

He put up career numbers that year—62 hits, 4 home runs, and 27 RBIs while batting .286. That was as good as it got for him in the majors.

Smith’s steady play in the outfield helped keep the Phillies’ defense solid. His right-handed bat gave them some consistent production from left field.

He got more playing time during those two years than anywhere else in his career. That stretch really showed what he could do when given a chance.

New York Mets Expansion Draft Experience

The New York Mets picked Smith as the 32nd selection in the 1961 expansion draft. That made him one of the franchise’s original players.

Smith’s time with the Mets was short—just two weeks in April 1962. He played 8 games, starting 5 in the outfield, before the team traded him to the Cubs on April 26.

The Mets were still trying to figure things out in their first season, so Smith’s quick move wasn’t too surprising.

Even though he didn’t stick around, Smith became part of Mets history as an original roster member. His experience in the expansion draft showed just how much players bounced around in the early ’60s.

Time with the St. Louis Cardinals and Stan Musial

Smith spent parts of four seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals between 1957-1959 and again in 1962. His most memorable role was as a late-inning replacement for Stan Musial in left field during ’62.

The Cardinals got Smith back from the Cubs in June 1962. He filled in defensively for Musial, who was wrapping up his Hall of Fame career.

This setup let the Cardinals rest Musial while keeping the outfield tight. Smith’s glove helped the team stay sharp during Musial’s last run.

Playing alongside a legend like Musial must’ve been something. The Cardinals trusted Smith in big moments on defense.

Minor League Career and Post-MLB

Bobby Gene Smith’s baseball journey didn’t end with the majors. He played a solid minor league career from 1953 to 1967.

His final MLB game was July 17, 1965, against the Chicago White Sox, closing out his big league days at 31.

Minor League Career Performance

Smith’s minor league stats tell a different story—he hit much better there than in the majors. Over his minor league career from 1953 to 1967, he put up a .302 batting average with 95 home runs and 435 RBI in 1,136 games.

He kicked off his minor league journey in 1953, joining the St. Joseph Cardinals organization. Throughout his time in the farm systems of several organizations, Smith kept producing on offense.

In the minors, he showed off his versatility. Smith played all over—first base, catcher, center field, pitcher, and right field—which really highlights his athleticism.

His best years in the minors came in the late 1950s and early 1960s. That .302 batting average in the minors stands out compared to his .243 mark in the majors.

Retirement in 1965 and Final Playing Days

Smith wrapped up his major league career on July 17, 1965. He played his last big league game with the California Angels against the Chicago White Sox, getting one at-bat but not managing a hit.

Even after leaving MLB in 1965, Smith kept playing in the minors until 1967. That gave him two more seasons of professional ball after his time in the majors ended.

His final MLB season with California was a short one—just 23 games. Smith hit .228, picking up 13 hits in 57 at-bats before calling it quits in the big leagues.

Moving from major league player to minor league veteran let Smith stay in the game a little longer. He probably mentored some younger guys in the system too.

Activity After Professional Baseball

Not much info is out there about Smith’s life after he stopped playing pro ball in 1967. He went back to Hood River, Oregon, the town where he was born in 1934.

Smith stayed in Hood River for the rest of his life. He passed away on November 24, 2015, at age 81, and was buried at Idlewilde Cemetery.

That nearly 50-year gap between retirement and his passing makes you wonder what he did next. A lot of ex-players from his era went into coaching, business, or just regular jobs after baseball.

Smith’s quiet life after baseball feels pretty typical for journeyman players from the 1950s and 1960s. Many of them just went home and settled down after their time in the spotlight.

Reputation, Namesakes, and Legacy

Bobby Gene Smith played eight seasons in Major League Baseball, suiting up for five different teams from 1957 through 1965. Because so many players shared the name Bob Smith, researchers and fans sometimes struggle to track his specific impact on the game.

Distinguishing Bobby Gene Smith from Other Bob Smiths

Baseball history includes a lot of Bob Smiths, but Bobby Gene Smith stands out among them. He was born on May 28, 1934, in Hood River, Oregon, and died there on November 24, 2015.

If you’re digging through baseball records, it’s easy to mix up the names. Reference materials usually list him as Bobby Gene Smith to keep things clear.

He played in 376 games over eight seasons. Smith played outfield and pinch hit for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Angels.

Smith stood 5 feet 11 inches and weighed 180 pounds. He hit and threw right-handed his whole career.

Perspective of Baseball Writers and Analysts

Writers and analysts usually describe Bobby Gene Smith as a journeyman—a guy who filled roster spots in his era. His .243 career batting average fits that backup outfielder role, not a star, but a steady presence. backup outfielder

Statistically, Smith did his best work with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1960 to 1961. In those two seasons, he hit .271 with 106 hits in 177 games.

Modern analysts point out that Smith’s career WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of -0.8 suggests he played below replacement level. That number shows he had a tough time keeping up consistent performance as he moved from team to team.

With the New York Mets in 1962, Smith only appeared in eight games. Writers from that time often noted how much the early Mets struggled, and Smith was part of that rocky start for the franchise.

Lasting Impact on Baseball

Bobby Gene Smith didn’t make a huge mark on baseball, mostly because he spent his career as a backup. Still, you can’t ignore the fact that he stuck around for 10 years in the minors, both before and after his time in the majors.

After baseball, Smith worked as a maintenance technician for Pierce County office management in Tacoma, Washington. He stepped away from pro baseball in 1967, just 33 years old.

Smith actually found more success in the minors than in the big leagues. He hit 95 home runs and managed a .302 batting average over 1,137 minor league games.

His career kind of sums up what a lot of journeyman players went through in the 1950s and 1960s. You see the grind—most of it in the minors, with only short chances in the majors.

Smith now rests at Idlewilde Cemetery in Hood River, Oregon, closing the book on a baseball journey that lasted nearly twenty years.