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

Frank Smith built a respectable seven-season run as a Major League Baseball pitcher before he finally hung up his glove in 1956. Born in Pierrepont Manor, New York, Smith made his mark as a right-handed pitcher, splitting time between starting and relief roles during an era when baseball was starting to look a little more like the game we know today.

Smith put together a 35-33 record with 277 strikeouts and a 3.81 earned run average across 271 appearances, mostly with the Cincinnati Reds and briefly with the St. Louis Cardinals. His career ran from 1950 to 1956, and during that time, he became a dependable arm for Cincinnati, where he spent most of his professional days.

From his humble beginnings in upstate New York to his last game on May 13, 1956, Smith’s journey through pro baseball gives us a glimpse into the life of a solid mid-century pitcher. His story includes the struggles of making it to the majors, bouncing between teams, and the stats that defined his time on the mound during baseball’s so-called golden age.

Early Life and Background

Frank Thomas Smith was born on April 4, 1928, in Pierrepont Manor, New York. Growing up in this rural town shaped his early years before baseball ever called his name.

Hometown and Family

Frank Smith grew up in Pierrepont Manor, a small spot in Jefferson County, New York. The town sits up north, not too far from the Canadian border.

Life there in the 1930s and 1940s was about as small-town American as it gets. Folks knew each other, and baseball was a favorite way to pass the time for kids in the area.

Smith’s full name was Frank Thomas Smith, and his family supported his love for sports. He grew up during the Great Depression and World War II, so he knew what tough times looked like.

Pierrepont Manor’s tight-knit community probably gave Smith plenty of chances to play ball as a kid. Back then, small towns had their own teams and leagues, and that’s where a lot of future pros got their start.

Path to Professional Baseball

Smith started developing his pitching skills as a righty during his youth in New York. Professional scouts eventually noticed his talent on the mound.

By 22, Smith had impressed enough people to land a spot with the Cincinnati Reds. He made his pro debut on April 18, 1950, and that kicked off a seven-season career.

Moving from small-town New York to the big leagues was a huge leap for Smith. It took real skill and determination to make that jump.

Smith’s path to the majors was pretty typical for his time. Scouts traveled to little towns, looking for the next big thing, and Smith caught their eye.

Those early years on the mound turned out to be crucial for his future success in the majors.

Major League Debut and Playing Era

Frank Smith entered the big leagues in the early 1950s, making his MLB debut with the Cincinnati Reds on April 18, 1950. His seven-season career, from 1950 to 1956, lined up with some big changes in baseball after World War II.

Entry into MLB

Frank Thomas Smith broke into the majors at 22 years old on April 18, 1950, with the Cincinnati Reds. Born in Pierrepont Manor, New York, Smith stood 5’11” and weighed 194 pounds, throwing right-handed.

Smith’s rookie season in 1950 got him past rookie limits, and he became a regular part of the Reds’ pitching staff.

He mostly pitched in relief throughout his career. Over seven seasons, he appeared in 271 games, putting up a 35-33 win-loss record, a 3.81 ERA, and 277 strikeouts.

Smith’s career included time with more than one team. He played for the Cincinnati Reds from 1950-1954, joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 1955, and then returned to Cincinnati (by then called the Redlegs) for his final season in 1956.

He made his last MLB appearance on May 13, 1956, against the Milwaukee Braves. He pitched one inning, gave up two hits, and allowed three earned runs.

Baseball in the 1950s

The 1950s really shook up Major League Baseball. Smith’s career ran right through a period when teams started to care more about relief pitching and changed up their strategies.

Teams began to see the value in having guys who could come in late and shut things down. Smith racked up 44 saves in his career, showing how important closers and setup men were becoming.

The Cincinnati Reds even changed their name to the Redlegs while Smith was there, from 1953-1956. That covers a big chunk of his time with the team.

Baseball in the ’50s was about balance and new stars. Players like Smith helped their teams by filling specialized roles, not just pitching every day.

People started paying more attention to stats and player performance. Smith’s 3.81 ERA put him among the more reliable pitchers of his era, and he kept up steady numbers season after season.

Career with the Cincinnati Redlegs

Frank Smith spent most of his seven-season career with the Cincinnati Reds, who went by the Redlegs from 1953 to 1956. He played for them from 1950 to 1954 and again in 1956, making himself a reliable right-handed pitcher and a big part of their pitching staff.

Rookie Years and Early Highlights

Smith made his big league debut on April 18, 1950, with the Cincinnati Reds at 22. Coming from Pierrepont Manor, New York, he adjusted quickly to the demands of pro baseball.

He showed promise early on as a dependable relief pitcher. With his right-handed delivery and steady performance, he earned regular chances on the mound.

Key Early Career Stats:

• Debut: April 18, 1950
• Age at debut: 22 years old
• Primary role: Relief pitcher

The rookie pitcher had solid fundamentals right from the start. He managed pressure well, which made him valuable in the Reds’ bullpen during his first seasons.

Smith’s steady improvement made him stand out to the team and fans.

Key Performances and Contributions

During his time with the Redlegs, Smith put up numbers that showed just how effective he was as a reliever. His 3.81 ERA made it tough for other teams to score on him.

Smith struck out 277 batters over his career, so he knew how to get outs when it mattered. That strikeout ability was a big asset in high-stress relief situations.

Career Highlights with Cincinnati:

• Win-loss record: 35-33
• Total appearances: 271 games
• Saves: 44
• Strikeouts: 277

His 44 saves made a real difference for the team. Smith’s knack for closing out games fit perfectly into the Redlegs’ pitching plans.

Season after season, he stayed consistent and durable. He kept his role as a key bullpen contributor for the Reds.

Relationship with Teammates and Managers

Smith’s work ethic and approach to the game earned him respect in the Redlegs clubhouse. Teammates appreciated his preparation and the way he showed up when it counted.

As a reliever, Smith worked closely with the starting pitchers and catchers. Managers trusted him to step in during all sorts of situations.

His long run with the team says a lot about his relationships with coaches and management. When he came back to Cincinnati in 1956 after a short time in St. Louis, it showed there was real mutual respect.

Smith’s last MLB game was on May 13, 1956, in a Redlegs uniform. That wrapped up his career with the team that gave him his first shot in the majors.

Stint with the St. Louis Cardinals

Frank Smith joined the Cardinals in 1955 after five seasons with Cincinnati. His time in St. Louis was the final chapter of his major league career, before he briefly returned to Cincinnati in 1956.

Trade to the Cardinals

Smith went to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1955 after proving himself as a solid relief pitcher with the Reds. The Cardinals brought him in to strengthen their bullpen.

By then, Smith had already shown he could handle closing games, which wasn’t all that common yet. He brought valuable experience to the Cardinals’ staff.

He threw with a sidearm motion, which made him tough on right-handed hitters. That specialty was just what the Cardinals needed.

Pitching Achievements in St. Louis

Smith’s 1955 season with the Cardinals was his last full year in the majors. He stuck with his relief role, just like he had done before.

The Cardinals used Smith’s experience to help close out games. He’d just finished a year with 20 saves for Cincinnati, so the team trusted him in tight spots.

Smith’s ERA and overall numbers with St. Louis kept his career stats in good shape. His steady style worked well in the National League, even with a new club.

After his time with the Cardinals, Smith returned to Cincinnati for a short stint in 1956. That was the end of his seven-year major league career.

Pitching Performance and Statistics

Frank Smith put together a career record of 35 wins and 33 losses over his seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1950 to 1956. His stats show the work of a reliable relief pitcher who stayed pretty consistent with the Reds, Redlegs, and Cardinals.

Career Win-Loss Record

Smith wrapped up his MLB career with a 35-33 win-loss record in 271 games. He started out on April 18, 1950, with the Cincinnati Reds at just 22 years old.

His record shows he could compete at the highest level. That almost-even win-loss ratio says a lot about his dependability against big-league hitters.

Smith spent most of his career in Cincinnati, playing for them as both the Reds and the Redlegs between 1953-1956. In his last year, 1956, he also pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Strikeouts and ERA Analysis

Smith’s career included 1,051 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.59 according to available stats. Those numbers show he was effective on the mound.

His ERA of 2.59 stands out for that era. He gave up fewer than three earned runs per nine innings, which is nothing to sneeze at.

The strikeout total of 1,051 really jumps out. Over seven seasons, that’s a lot of batters sent back to the dugout.

Notable Games and Milestones

Smith’s last game came on May 13, 1956, against Milwaukee, when he was 28. He pitched one inning, gave up two hits and three earned runs, and managed a strikeout and a walk.

He lost his rookie status after the 1950 season, which officially made him a big leaguer. That’s a milestone for any player.

Smith lasted parts of seven seasons from 1950-1956. That kind of longevity, especially in such a competitive era, shows what kind of pitcher he was. He kept up his performance until he retired at 28.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

Frank Smith wrapped up his career in 1956 after seven seasons in the majors, closing out a solid pitching career that spanned from 1950 to 1956. After baseball, he moved to Florida, where he lived quietly until his death in 2005.

Final MLB Season in 1956

Frank Smith took the mound for the last time in Major League Baseball on May 13, 1956, wearing a Cincinnati Redlegs uniform. That day closed out his seven-year run in the majors.

The 1956 season gave Smith a second chance with Cincinnati. He’d already played for them from 1950 to 1954, then spent a year with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1955.

Smith put together a 35-33 win-loss record over 271 appearances. He kept a 3.81 earned run average and racked up 277 strikeouts.

He mostly worked as a relief pitcher. Over his career, he saved 44 games, which made him a real asset out of the bullpen.

Smith retired at just 28, which actually wasn’t unusual back then. Pitchers often had shorter careers, probably because training and medical care just weren’t what they are today.

Post-Retirement Activities

After he left baseball, Smith settled down in Malone, Florida. Not much public info is out there about what he did for work after hanging up his glove.

He lived quietly, far from the noise and attention of Major League Baseball. For almost fifty years, Florida was home.

Some ex-players go back to baseball as coaches or take front office jobs, but Smith didn’t do that. Honestly, a lot of guys from his era just moved on and found something totally different to do.

He passed away at his Malone, Florida home on September 24, 2005, at 77. Smith’s post-baseball life stretched out quietly, lasting much longer than his time on the field.

Legacy and Impact on the Game

Frank Smith really captures that 1950s baseball vibe, back when guys like him quietly delivered solid pitching but didn’t exactly become household names. Over seven seasons, he put up a 3.81 ERA, which shows he kept things pretty consistent whenever he got the ball.

Smith took the mound right when baseball was changing fast. He played through the integration era and saw the sport shift in the ’50s, which must’ve felt like a whirlwind at times.

He racked up 277 career strikeouts and 44 saves, numbers that kind of sum up what relief pitchers did back then. Closers weren’t a thing yet, so pitchers like Smith just took on whatever the team needed.

Sure, Smith never reached superstar status. Still, he lasted seven years in the majors, and honestly, that’s something most players can only dream about. His run in pro baseball says a lot about his skill and how tough he was as a pitcher.