Lonnie Smith

Lonnie Smith
(Skates)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 9", Weight 170 lb.
• High School Centennial High School (Compton)
• Debut September 2, 1978
• Final Game August 10, 1994
• Born December 22, 1955 in Chicago, IL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

It seems that Lonnie Smith always found a way to get on a World Series team; he is still the only man to play in the World Series for four different teams - the Philadelphia Phillies (in 1980), the St. Louis Cardinals (in 1982), the Kansas City Royals (in 1985) and the Atlanta Braves (in 1991 and 1992).

A below-average defensive outfielder, he had an excellent on-base percentage in an era when such a trait was not always appreciated. He was troubled by drug use during his early career, and had injury issues in the later half of his career, yet managed to attain a very respectable .792 lifetime OPS (higher than contemporary Hall of Famers Cal Ripken and Ozzie Smith, and only 4 points below that of Ryne Sandberg). His base-running miscue in the 1991 World Series may have cost the Atlanta Braves the World Series. Smith was one of the fastest players of his time and once stole five bases in one game on September 4, 1982.

Notable Achievements

• 1980 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
• NL All-Star (1982)
• 1989 NL Comeback Player of the Year Award
• NL On-Base Percentage Leader (1989)
• NL Runs Scored Leader (1982)
• 20-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1989)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1982)
• 50 Stolen Bases Seasons: 3 (1982, 1984 & 1985)
• Won three World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies (1980), the St. Louis Cardinals (1982), and the Kansas City Royals (1985)

Further Reading

• Lonnie Smith (as told to George Vass): "The Game I'll Never Forget", Baseball Digest, November 1989, pp. 31-32. [1]