Today, it was announced that Lee Smith will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019 along with Harold Baines. He was a unanimous vote by the veterans’ committee now dubbed “Today’s Game Era” committee.
I know some inductions by the veterans’ committee are a bit controversial. If you are wondering, I fully support this decision about Smith’s induction and this is why. For me, a big “must” for induction into the Hall is the quality of the player in the context of their era. Intimidating Lee Smith was no doubt one of the best relievers of his time. He earned three Rolaids Relief Man awards, played in seven All-Star Games and had the led the league in saves four times.
He was the career save leader until Trevor Hoffman broke his record of 478 in 2006. While I am not a huge fan of the save stat, it still counts for something.
| Split | W | L | W-L% | ERA | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 Totals | 4 | 10 | .286 | 1.65 | 66 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 103.1 | 70 | 23 | 19 | 5 | 41 | 91 |
As for this 1983 card, it is arguably one of the best pitching grades you get (possibly even better than the A&B). Smith logged 103 1/3 innings with the Cubs in ’83 and managed a 1.65 ERA (some starters in 2018 don’t pitch that much).
It was day and age when relievers were expected to go more than an inning as seen by his 100+ innings over 66 appearances.
Thanks to Kevin Weber. I borrowed his image of the 1983 Lee Smith APBA card from his popular thread on the APBA Blog Facebook page discussing the merits of both Smith and Baines.
Like you I am not a fan of the save statistic. I find it ludicrous to see “Closers” with 30 saves and 5.00 ERA. Lee Smith was different. H came in when the game was on the line;often inheriting the tying run on base. A lot more interesting, and challenging, than coming in to pitch the 9th with a 3 run league. The stat would mean a lot more if the 9th inning component was a 1 run lead.