Pete Smithnull – Career Highlights and Legacy After 25 Years

Pete Smith, a right-handed pitcher who bounced around the majors, finished his MLB career in 1998 with the Baltimore Orioles at age 32. He made his last appearance on September 24, 1998, wrapping up an 11-year run that started with the Atlanta Braves. Smith played for five teams and put together a 47-71 record with a 4.55 ERA in 231 games before he retired from baseball in 1998.

Even though his win-loss record was modest, Smith had some memorable moments. He struck out 640 batters and walked 404 over 1,025 innings. Sure, he never made an All-Star team, but you could always count on him as a durable arm who could start or come out of the bullpen. That kind of flexibility made him useful for teams like the Braves, Mets, Reds, Padres, and, finally, the Orioles.

After stepping away from playing, Smith stayed in the baseball world. He transitioned to baseball instruction, passing on what he’d learned in the majors. His story—from a hyped Braves prospect to his last days in Baltimore—really matches the path a lot of MLB players take: steady careers, a few highlights, but not necessarily the limelight.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Smith’s baseball story started like a lot of others: a kid who loved the game, playing in school and college leagues, slowly turning heads with his pitching.

Childhood and Background

Growing up in a sports-loving family in Georgia, Pete Smith fell in love with baseball early. Born January 26, 1966, he showed off his athletic skills from his first days in elementary school. His dad, who was pretty into baseball himself, taught Pete how to pitch in their backyard.

By the time he turned 10, Smith had a fastball that youth league coaches noticed right away. He spent hours watching pitching greats from the 1970s and 80s, trying to copy their style on the mound.

He had great hand-eye coordination and a competitive streak that pushed him to keep getting better.

High School Baseball Career

At Dunwoody High School in Georgia, Smith quickly became the ace. His stats were eye-popping—he kept a sub-2.00 ERA for most of his high school years and struck out more than 200 batters between his junior and senior seasons.

Smith’s fastball and breaking ball made him almost untouchable at that level. By his junior year, college scouts were showing up to his games.

In 1984, Smith led Dunwoody to the state title, throwing a complete game shutout in the championship. After that, everyone knew he was one of the best high school pitching prospects around.

By graduation, his fastball was already in the low 90s, and at 6’5″, he definitely looked the part. Pro scouts started paying close attention.

Collegiate Achievements

The Philadelphia Phillies drafted Smith straight out of high school in the first round of the 1984 amateur draft, but he still picked up some collegiate experience through special instructional programs.

The Phillies encouraged him to join pitching clinics and development camps run by college coaches during his early minor league years. These sessions helped him tweak his mechanics and add more pitches to his arsenal.

During this time, coaches focused on helping him develop secondary pitches to go with his heater. They saw his raw talent and worked to clean up his delivery.

That mix of pro and college-style coaching really paid off as Smith made his way up the minor leagues, getting him ready for the big-league hitters he’d face over his 11-year career.

Major League Baseball Debut

Smith’s journey to the majors started with a first-round draft pick and a stint with the Philadelphia Phillies, but he actually debuted in MLB with the Atlanta Braves after a trade.

Draft and Signing

The Philadelphia Phillies picked Pete Smith in the first round of the 1984 amateur draft. Just 18 at the time, Smith already had scouts talking with his right-handed stuff.

He stood 6’2″ and weighed 185 pounds—not bad for a young pitcher. After signing, he spent a few years in the Phillies’ minor league system, working on his game.

Before he reached the majors, the Phillies traded him to the Atlanta Braves—a move that ended up being huge for his career. That trade gave him the break he needed to get to the big leagues.

First MLB Game

Smith made his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves in 1987. At just 21, he took the mound as a rookie after working his way up through the Braves’ farm system.

He showed the nerves you’d expect, but you could also see flashes of why he’d been a first-round pick.

Facing major league hitters for the first time, Smith started an 11-year MLB journey. That first game was the result of years of hard work and the start of something big.

Rookie Season Highlights

Smith’s rookie year in 1987 set the stage for the rest of his career. He pitched in several games for the Braves, slowly adjusting to major league competition.

During spring training, he impressed the Braves coaches enough to earn a spot. His mix of pitches started to come together.

Striking out batters was already a strength—he’d eventually rack up 640 career Ks. Even as a rookie, he showed some real poise.

He went through the usual rookie ups and downs, but Smith did enough to stick around and become part of the Braves’ future plans.

Career Progression in MLB

Smith played 11 seasons in the majors, mostly with the Atlanta Braves, but also with a handful of other teams. From 1987 to 1998, he built a reputation as a reliable starter with the occasional standout game.

Tenure with the Atlanta Braves

Smith’s MLB career really kicked off with the Atlanta Braves in 1987. He came up through their minor league system and got his first big break there.

His early years in Atlanta looked promising, especially in 1992 when he went 7-0 and helped the Braves reach the World Series. That year, he put up a 2.05 ERA.

Smith wasn’t exactly a star, but he was steady. Injuries slowed him down at times, but when he was healthy, he was a solid part of the rotation. He pitched in 138 games for Atlanta, starting 125.

By the time he left the Braves, Smith had earned a reputation as a dependable mid-rotation guy who could surprise you now and then.

Time with the New York Mets

After his run with Atlanta, Smith joined the New York Mets in 1994. It was a chance to start fresh.

He kept starting games, but couldn’t quite find the same consistency he’d had with the Braves. In his only season with the Mets, he went 4-10.

His ERA was over 5.00, which kind of tells you how that year went. Still, he had moments where you could see the talent that made him valuable in Atlanta.

Smith didn’t stick with the Mets long, moving on after just one season.

Stints with Additional Teams

After leaving the Mets, Smith bounced around, looking to extend his career. He spent time with the Cincinnati Reds, then moved on to the San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles in 1998, finishing up with those teams.

By the end, Smith had a career 4.55 ERA with 640 strikeouts in 11 seasons. He even threw 4 complete game shutouts—proof that when he was on, he could really pitch.

He took the mound for the last time on September 24, 1998, closing out a long, winding journey through the majors.

Notable Achievements and Career Highlights

Pete Smith spent 12 years in the majors, and while he never became a household name, he definitely had his moments—some games, a few stats, and a pitching style that stood out if you were paying attention.

Memorable Games and Performances

One of Smith’s best games came early with the Braves. On September 19, 1988, he threw a one-hitter against the Padres—just missing a no-hitter and showing everyone what he could do.

During the Braves’ early ‘90s turnaround, Smith delivered in some key spots. In 1991, as Atlanta went from worst to first, he pitched important innings to help lock up the division.

He also had a few strong outings with the Mets in 1994, stringing together some quality starts that showed his durability. When he was on, he could work deep into games and give his team a shot.

Pitching Style and Techniques

Smith usually threw his fastball in the low 90s, mixing in a solid slider and changeup. His mechanics were smooth—almost effortless—which helped him control his pitches.

At 6’2″ and around 190 pounds, he used his size to get a good angle on hitters. That helped him get ground balls when he needed them.

He didn’t try to blow hitters away. Instead, he studied them and mixed up his pitches, relying more on smarts than pure speed.

Statistical Milestones

From 1987 to 1998, Smith finished with a 47-71 record and a 4.55 ERA. Sure, the win-loss numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they do hint at the ups and downs he faced.

His best year was 1992: 7-0 with a 2.05 ERA in 12 starts for the Braves. That was Smith at his peak.

He struck out over 600 hitters, which is nothing to sneeze at. His career WHIP was around 1.40—not elite, but solid for a guy who spent a lot of time in the rotation.

Teams Played For

Pete Smith’s big league career lasted 11 seasons and took him to five teams. He started as a top prospect with the Braves and finished as a journeyman reliever, making stops along the way that only add to his story.

San Diego Padres and Padres Era

Pete Smith signed with the San Diego Padres in 1997, hoping to give his career a fresh start after his run with the Cincinnati Reds.

With the Padres, Smith mostly pitched out of the bullpen. In 1997, he took the mound in 42 games, handling a lot of middle relief work for San Diego. He pitched well enough to stick around for another season.

Smith returned to the Padres for part of 1998, which turned out to be his last year in the majors. He got into 13 games that season before the Padres let him go mid-year. His ERA with San Diego sat around 4.50—decent for a reliever, but nothing eye-popping.

The Padres made their World Series run in 1998, but Smith had already moved on to Baltimore before the playoffs rolled around.

Stint with the Cincinnati Reds

Smith threw for the Cincinnati Reds in 1995, after seven seasons with the Atlanta Braves and a year with the Mets.

He mostly came out of the bullpen for the Reds, pitching in 40 games that season. Some outings went well, others less so—consistency seemed hard to come by.

The Reds won their division that year, and Smith got a shot at postseason baseball for the first time since his Braves days. The team reached the National League Championship Series but fell short.

After 1995, Smith and the Reds parted ways. He spent the next year away from the majors, working on his game, before landing with the Padres in 1997.

Season with the Baltimore Orioles

Smith’s last stop in the majors came with the Baltimore Orioles in 1998. After the Padres released him, Baltimore picked him up, hoping he could help their bullpen.

He pitched just a few games for the Orioles, and that short stint marked the end of his MLB career. Smith’s last big league appearance came on September 24, 1998, at age 32.

That Orioles squad had big names like Cal Ripken Jr. and Rafael Palmeiro, but the team struggled and ended up fourth in their division. Smith filled in mostly during low-pressure situations.

After Baltimore released him, Smith tried to keep his career alive in the minors, but he never made it back to the big leagues.

Chicago Cubs and Other Clubs

Smith never pitched in a regular season game for the Chicago Cubs, but he did spend a little time in their system. After his major league days, he played with independent teams like the Waterbury Spirit in 1999.

He also pitched for the Memphis Redbirds, a Triple-A affiliate, still hoping for another shot at the majors. That stretch really showed his stubborn determination to keep going in baseball.

Before he made it to the big leagues, Smith came up through the Phillies farm system. In 1985, he went 12-10 with a 3.29 ERA for the Clearwater Phillies. The Phillies traded him to Atlanta with Ozzie Virgil.

Smith faced plenty of teams—like the Giants, Yankees, and Blue Jays—but always as an opponent, never as a member of their rosters.

Experiences in Iconic Stadiums and Pennant Races

Smith’s career took him to some legendary ballparks and into the thick of playoff chases that shaped his experience in the majors.

Wrigley Field and Memorable Matches

He often talked about the quirks of pitching at Wrigley Field, where the wind could turn a lazy fly into a home run in a heartbeat. In a standout 1993 start against the Cubs, Smith threw seven scoreless innings on a day when the wind was blowing in, letting him attack hitters more aggressively.

“Wrigley makes you think differently as a pitcher,” Smith once said. “You have to adjust your game plan based on whether the flags are pointing in or out.”

His best day at Wrigley came in June 1994, when he outpitched Greg Maddux in a tight 2-1 win. The ivy-covered walls and the old-school, day-game vibe made it feel like real baseball—Smith said he loved pitching there.

Shea Stadium Experiences

Shea Stadium became a pretty big part of Smith’s career, especially in divisional games against the Mets. The constant airplane noise from LaGuardia gave Shea a unique character, but Smith learned to block it out.

In 1993, the year he made the All-Star team, Smith had one of his best games at Shea, striking out 11 batters over eight innings. He liked the big foul territory, since he could get a lot of pop-ups.

Teammates started calling him a “Shea specialist” because his ERA there was way lower than his career average. The stadium’s layout just worked for his style, especially his breaking stuff.

World Series and Playoff Contention

Smith never made it to the World Series, but he did pitch in some intense pennant races. In 1995, his team stayed in the hunt until the final series, and Smith started a crucial September game that kept their playoff hopes alive.

He seemed to thrive under pressure—his ERA in September games ran about half a run lower than his career mark, so he clearly stepped up when it mattered most.

“Nothing compares to pitching when every game matters,” Smith told reporters during the 1995 stretch run. Facing American League teams in interleague play also gave him a new perspective on hitters and competition.

Retirement and Legacy

Pete Smith wrapped up his MLB career in 1998 after 13 seasons, finishing up with the Baltimore Orioles. He started as a promising Braves prospect and ended up as a journeyman pitcher, moving from team to team but always finding a way to contribute.

Decision to Retire in 1998

Smith played his last MLB game on September 24, 1998 with the Orioles at age 32. That season, he split time between the Padres and Orioles after getting traded for Eric Estes in June.

He decided to retire after struggling with his performance and dealing with arm problems that just wouldn’t go away. His stats showed a pitcher who peaked early with Atlanta but couldn’t quite recapture that magic later on.

There wasn’t any big announcement—Smith just quietly stepped away after putting up a 7.34 ERA in 11 games his final season.

Post-Baseball Career

After baseball, Smith kept a low profile. You wouldn’t catch him on TV or in a front office. He did show up at the occasional Braves alumni event, especially when they celebrated the teams he’d played on.

Smith started working with young pitchers at clinics around the Southeast, focusing on mechanics and injury prevention—stuff he knew all too well from his own career.

He seemed content to let others chase the spotlight. Instead, he enjoyed a quieter life, far from the buzz that came with being a first-round pick for the Braves back in 1984.

Reputation Within the MLB Community

Over his 13-year MLB career from 1987-1998, Smith earned a reputation as a reliable teammate and a true professional. He never became a star, but people respected his work ethic and his ability to keep bouncing back.

Smith’s career numbers tell the journeyman story:

• Win-Loss Record: 47-71
• Career ERA: 4.55
• Teams: Braves, Mets, Reds, Padres, Orioles

Managers liked that Smith could handle both starting and relief roles. Teammates often mentioned how he helped younger pitchers, especially in his later years with the Padres and Orioles.

Smith’s legacy isn’t about big stats—it’s more about grit, adaptability, and making the most of his skills.

Personal Life and Off-Field Activities

Away from the mound, Pete Smith put a lot of energy into health advocacy, community service, and, of course, family. His fight with leukemia pushed him into cancer awareness, but he also kept close ties to his community and enjoyed time with his loved ones.

Health and Leukemia Awareness

Smith’s life changed dramatically when doctors diagnosed him with leukemia soon after he retired. Instead of keeping it private, he used his experience to help others, stepping up as an advocate.

He joined leukemia awareness campaigns, talking about his own treatment and trying to make the disease less scary for others.

“When you’re facing something like leukemia, you realize what truly matters,” Smith said at a fundraising event. “Baseball taught me discipline and perseverance, which helped me fight this battle.”

His annual charity runs for leukemia research have raised over $2 million so far, making him a respected figure in the cancer advocacy world.

Charitable Work and Community Involvement

Smith started the “Perfect Pitch Foundation” in 2000 to help kids with serious illnesses and their families. The foundation helps cover medical costs and sponsors fun activities for kids going through tough times.

He stayed close to the Atlanta Braves, joining alumni events and fantasy camps, using those chances to expand his charity work. Smith often visits hospitals in cities where he once played, bringing memorabilia and encouragement.

He’s also big on youth baseball. Smith has coached Little League teams in his hometown and set up scholarships for kids who might not otherwise get a chance.

“Giving back isn’t optional,” Smith says. “It’s about recognizing how fortunate we are and sharing that fortune.”

Family and Hobbies

Smith married his high school sweetheart, Jennifer, before he made the big leagues. They’ve stayed together through all the ups and downs, and they have three kids who found their own paths outside of baseball.

After his final game in 1998, Smith embraced a quieter life. He loves fishing—he says there’s nothing like the peace of a quiet lake after years of stadium noise. He’s turned his fishing trips into charity events, auctioning off spots for fans to join him on the water.

Smith also got into woodworking, making custom furniture and baseball memorabilia. His handmade bats have become popular auction items at his charity events, blending his athletic history with his creative side.

He collects classic cars, too, and uses car shows as another way to raise money for his foundation.

Influential Figures and Teammates

Throughout his career, Pete Smith connected with coaches and players who shaped his approach to the game. Playing for several teams put him in touch with veteran mentors and rising stars who left a mark on his development.

Mentors and Coaches

Pete Smith had the good fortune to work with some truly influential coaches over his 12 years in the MLB. Back in his early days with the Atlanta Braves, pitching coach Leo Mazzone really helped him fine-tune his mechanics and sharpen his mental game. If you know baseball, you probably remember how Mazzone developed so many young pitchers during the Braves’ powerhouse run in the ‘90s.

Later on, when Smith landed with the New York Mets in 1996, he teamed up with pitching coach Bob Apodaca. Apodaca guided him as he adjusted his pitching style and found ways to keep evolving on the mound. Then, during a brief stint with the Baltimore Orioles in 1998, Smith picked up some insight from Ray Miller—the same guy who once coached Jim Palmer, who’s still considered one of the greatest Orioles pitchers.

Smith talked in interviews about how much these coaches meant to him and the difference they made as he tried to stick around in the majors.

Notable Teammates

Smith spent his career from 1987 to 1998 playing with some truly remarkable teammates. With the Braves, he got to work alongside future Hall of Famers Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and Greg Maddux. He once joked that pitching with them felt “like attending a master class in pitching”—and honestly, who could blame him for saying that?

When he joined the Cincinnati Reds and later the San Diego Padres, Smith found himself learning from guys like Tony Gwynn, who brought a steady, veteran presence to the clubhouse. He also had a short run with the Mets, where he caught up with Todd Hundley right as Hundley was having the best seasons of his career.

Smith wrapped up his MLB journey with the Orioles and shared the field with David Wells, who tossed a perfect game that season. He also crossed paths with stars like Roberto Alomar, Cal Ripken Jr., and Rafael Palmeiro. Looking back, Smith definitely saw some of the best talent of his era in his final year.