:Dwight Smith (baseball)

Smith was born in Tallahassee, Florida. He was the youngest of four children. His father died when he was seven years old.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106187245/early-adversity-steels-cubs-smith/ |title=Early adversity steels Cubs' Smith |first=Alan|last=Solomon|work=Chicago Tribune|pages=4–5|via=Newspapers.com |date=March 3, 1993 |accessdate=July 24, 2022}}

Smith attended Wade Hampton High School in Varnville, South Carolina, and played for the school's baseball and football teams.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106174930/dwight-right-on-tune/ | title=Dwight right on tune: Cubs' torrid Smith is Mr. Versatility|first=Bill|last=Everhart|page=D1 | newspaper=The Berkshire Eagle | date=June 29, 1987 |accessdate=August 5, 2022 }} He enrolled at Spartanburg Methodist College in 1983.{{cite news |url=https://www.goupstate.com/story/news/1989/09/02/cubs39-dwight-smith-is-doing-just-fine/29516462007/ |title=Cubs' Dwight Smith is doing just fine |newspaper=Spartanburg Herald-Journal |date=September 2, 1989 |access-date=July 22, 2022}} Playing college baseball for Spartanburg, Smith competed in the Junior College World Series.

The Chicago Cubs selected Smith in the third round of the 1984 MLB draft.{{cite news |first=Randy |last=Peterson |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/129487287/?terms=%22dwight%20smith%22%20%22national%20anthem%22&match=1 |title=I-Cubs outfielder hits right chord in both his professions |page=2S |newspaper=The Des Moines Register |via=Newspapers.com |date=April 26, 1988 |access-date=July 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}} He made his professional debut with the Pikeville Cubs of the Rookie-level Appalachian League, struggling to a .236 batting average, but his 39 stolen bases were the most in the league. He batted .289 with 30 stolen bases for the Geneva Cubs of the Class A-Short Season New York-Penn League in 1985 and .310 with 53 stolen bases for the Peoria Chiefs of the Class A Midwest League in 1986. Smith played for the Pittsfield Cubs of the Class AA Eastern League in 1987, batting .337 with 18 home runs, and leading the league with 60 stolen bases and 111 runs scored.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107028610/cub-fights-for-job-after-fighting-cancer/|title=Cub fights for job after fighting cancer|first=Alan|last=Solomon|work=Chicago Tribune|pages=4–8 |via=Newspapers.com |date=March 1, 1988 |accessdate=July 24, 2022}} He was promoted to the Iowa Cubs of the Class AAA American Association in 1988.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30385523/ | title=I-Cubs' Smith hits right chord in both his jobs|first=Randy|last=Peterson | newspaper=The Des Moines Register | date=April 26, 1988 | page=2S|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=July 24, 2022}} Though he batted .293 for Iowa,{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107028718/9-cubs-go-to-the-post-in-spirited-outfie/ |title=9 Cubs go to the post in spirited outfield derby |work=Chicago Tribune |first=Alan|last=Solomon|via=Newspapers.com |pages=3–12|date=March 5, 1989 |accessdate=July 24, 2022}} he returned there for the start of the 1989 season because the Cubs felt that he needed to improve his defense.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106182109/iowa-cubs-smith-scores-d-in-defense/ |title=Iowa Cubs' Smith scores D in defense|first=Randy|last=Peterson|page=1S|work=The Des Moines Register |via=Newspapers.com |date=April 1, 1989 |accessdate=July 24, 2022}}

After batting .325 in 21 games for Iowa, the Cubs promoted Smith to the major leagues due to injuries on the major league team.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106186463/cub-rookie-earning-his-gold-glove/ |title=Cub rookie earning his Gold Glove |newspaper=The Times |via=Newspapers.com |date=June 27, 1989 |page=19 |accessdate=July 24, 2022}} He made his debut with the Cubs on May 1,{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106179996/multifaceted-slump-puts-cubs-smith-on-b/ |title=Multifaceted slump puts Cubs' Smith on bench |newspaper=The Des Moines Register |via=Newspapers.com |date=June 23, 1990 |page=19 |accessdate=July 24, 2022}}{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Herrman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/191796611/?terms=%22dwight%20smith%22%20%22national%20anthem%22&match=1 |title=Rookies rejuvenate Cubs |page=8 Sports |newspaper=Northwest Herald |location=Crystal Lake, Illinois |via=Newspapers.com |date=September 6, 1989 |access-date=July 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}} and batted .324 as a rookie, with nine home runs and 52 runs batted in. Smith finished second in balloting for the NL Rookie of the Year Award behind teammate Jerome Walton, who collected 22 of 24 first-place votes;{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/11/08/Walton-named-NL-Rookie-of-the-Year/4681626504400/ |title=Walton Named NL Rookie of Year |work=United Press International |first=Robert J.|last=Murphy|date=November 9, 1989 |accessdate=August 5, 2022}} Smith received the other two. Smith batted 3-for-15 (.200) for the Cubs in the NL Championship Series (NLCS), which they lost to the San Francisco Giants.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1989_NLCS.shtml|title=1989 NLCS – San Francisco Giants over Chicago Cubs (4–1)|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=July 22, 2022}}

Smith struggled in the 1990 season and lost his starting job. He batted .262 for the 1990 season, and the Cubs signed George Bell to play in the outfield.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106182184/dwight-smith-wants-out-or-maybe-not/ |title=Dwight Smith wants out – or maybe not|first=Alan|last=Solomon|page=C10|work=The Dispatch |via=Newspapers.com |date=December 30, 1990 |accessdate=July 24, 2022}} Smith was again a bench player with the Cubs in the 1991 season.{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Newberry |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/193039816/?terms=%22dwight%20smith%22%20spartanburg&match=1 |title=Former Cub teammates reunited with Braves |page=4C |newspaper=The Greenville News |agency=Associated Press |via=Newspapers.com |date=March 1, 1996 |access-date=July 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}} He batted .228 in 167 at bats in 1991.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107028053/dwight-smith-is-singing-a-happy-song-the/ |title=Dwight Smith is singing a happy song these days|first=Don|last=Wade|page=2S|work=Quad-City Times |via=Newspapers.com |date=May 22, 1993 |accessdate=July 24, 2022}} Smith began the 1992 season in a platoon with Sammy Sosa playing in left field,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/636116178/?terms=%22dwight%20smith%22%20cubs&match=1 |title=Lots of new bosses stirring Cubs' brew |page=6D |newspaper=Miami Herald |agency=Associated Press |via=Newspapers.com |date=April 1, 1992 |access-date=July 23, 2022 |url-access=subscription}} but was demoted to the minor leagues from late April to late May after starting the season batting .217.{{cite news |first=Randy |last=Peterson |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/128514883/?terms=%22dwight%20smith%22%20cubs&match=1 |title=Cubs' Smith just asks for a chance |page=3S |newspaper=The Des Moines Register |via=Newspapers.com |date=May 20, 1992 |access-date=July 23, 2022 |url-access=subscription}} Smith finished the season with a .276 average, three home runs, and 24 RBIs, and signed a one-year contract worth $630,000 for the 1993 season. In 1993, Smith had a .300 batting average and a career-best 11 home runs.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/366335666/?terms=%22dwight%20smith%22%20cubs&match=1 |title=Four Cub players not offered contracts |page=5B |newspaper=The Herald-Palladium |location=St. Joseph, Michigan |agency=Associated Press |via=Newspapers.com |date=December 21, 1993 |access-date=July 23, 2022 |url-access=subscription}} Under pressure to reduce their salary obligations, the Cubs did not offer Smith salary arbitration after the 1993 season, making him a free agent.{{cite news |first=Alan |last=Solomon |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/241421450/?terms=%22dwight%20smith%22%20cubs&match=1 |title=Smith feels devastated, says release by Cubs 'hurt me' |page=3 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |via=Newspapers.com |date=December 28, 1993 |access-date=July 23, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}

The California Angels signed Smith to a one-year contract for the 1994 season, worth a reported $700,000.{{cite news |first=Bob |last=Nightengale |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/158405544/?terms=%22dwight%20smith%22%20angels&match=1 |title=Ex-Cub Smith OKs One-Year Deal |page=C4 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |via=Newspapers.com |date=February 1, 1994 |access-date=July 23, 2022 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Trammell |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/199533757/?terms=%22dwight%20smith%22&match=1 |title=Smith signs with Angels |page=3D |newspaper=The Greenville News |via=Newspapers.com |date=February 2, 1994 |access-date=July 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}} He began the 1994 season in a platoon with Bo Jackson, but became a bench player on June 1 when the Angels began to play Jim Edmonds on a daily basis.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/373503293/?terms=%22dwight%20smith%22&match=1 |title=15 Jun 1994, 50|work=The Baltimore Sun |via=Newspapers.com |date=June 15, 1994 |accessdate=July 24, 2022}} Smith requested a trade, and the Angels traded Smith to the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named later on June 15.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/93131000/?terms=%22dwight%20smith%22%20player%20to%20be%20named%20later&match=1 |title=Orioles acquire Smith from California |page=2B |newspaper=The Star Democrat |location=Easton, Maryland |agency=Associated Press |via=Newspapers.com |date=June 15, 1994 |access-date=July 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}} For California and Baltimore, Smith batted .281 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs in 73 games.

Smith signed a one-year contract worth $250,000 with the Atlanta Braves for the 1995 season, agreeing to be a bench player.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/247679229/?terms=%22dwight%20smith%22&match=1 |title=Three-year deal keeps Blauser with Braves |page=5B |newspaper=Tallahassee Democrat |agency=Associated Press |via=Newspapers.com |date=April 13, 1995 |access-date=July 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}} He batted .252 with three home runs and 21 RBIs in 103 games during the 1995 season. In the postseason, Smith appeared as a pinch hitter, batting 2-for-3 in the Division Series against the Colorado Rockies{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1995_NLDS1.shtml | title=1995 NL Division Series – Atlanta Braves over Colorado Rockies (3–1) |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=July 24, 2022}} and 0-for-2 in the NL Championship Series against the Cincinnati Reds.{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1995_NLCS.shtml | title=1995 NLCS – Atlanta Braves over Cincinnati Reds (4–0) |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=July 24, 2022 }} In the 1995 World Series, Smith batted 1-for-2 with a walk, as the Braves defeated the Cleveland Indians in six games. Smith re-signed with the Braves for the 1996 season, agreeing to a one-year contract with a $350,000 salary.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/247628438/?terms=%22dwight%20smith%22%20braves&match=1 |title=Dwight Smith signs with Braves |page=2C |newspaper=Tallahassee Democrat |via=Newspapers.com |date=January 9, 1996 |access-date=July 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}} He batted .203 for the Braves during the 1996 season, and was not included on their postseason roster.

In 1997, no major league teams made a contract offer to Smith. He signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, an expansion team set to debut in 1998, and they assigned him to the Mexico City Tigers of the Mexican League for the 1997 season.{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Charean |title=Devil Rays' Smith isn't in the mood to sing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106186744/devil-rays-smith-isnt-in-the-mood-to-s/ |access-date=July 23, 2022 |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=March 24, 1997 |page=C-8|via=Newspapers.com}} An injury to his sciatic nerve prevented Smith from playing, and the Devil Rays released him in May.{{cite news |last1=Topkin |first1=Marc |last2=Page |first2=Rodney |title=Devil Rays pull reverse on Yanks |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/05/28/devil-rays-pull-reverse-on-yanks/ |access-date=July 23, 2022 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=May 28, 1997 |page=5C |language=en}} After he recuperated, Smith played for the St. Paul Saints of the Northern League, an independent baseball league, in 1997. The Devil Rays signed Smith before the 1998 season and invited him to spring training. They gave him his unconditional release before the beginning of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/340827435/?terms=%22dwight%20smith%22%20%22devil%20rays%22&match=1 |title=Rays Daily|first=Kevin|last=Wells|page=8|work=The Tampa Tribune|url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |date=March 26, 1998 |accessdate=July 24, 2022}} In 1998, Smith played for the Rochester Red Wings, a minor league affiliate of the Orioles.{{cite web |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/dwight-smith/ |title=Dwight Smith |website=SABR.org |publisher=Society for American Baseball Research |access-date=July 22, 2022}}

Smith began singing when he was four years old in his church choir. During the baseball offseasons, he sang in nightclubs and talent shows. On July 21, 1989, at Wrigley Field, Smith sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" before a game against the San Francisco Giants.{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Bagnato |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/389247535/?terms=%22dwight%20smith%22%20%22national%20anthem%22&match=1 |title=Cubs can't produce 2d miracle |page=3 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |via=Newspapers.com |date=July 22, 1989 |access-date=July 22, 2022 |url-access=subscription}} He also sang the national anthem on Opening Day of the 1992 season. During the 1993–94 offseason, Smith recorded a demo rhythm and blues album titled R U Down.{{cite news |last1=Keegan |first1=Tom |title=Dwight Smith at front of team's hit parade |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1994-07-20-1994201054-story.html |access-date=July 23, 2022 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 20, 1994 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620232058/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1994-07-20-1994201054-story.html |archive-date=June 20, 2021 |page=7C}}

Smith and his wife Cheryl had one son and two daughters. His son Dwight Smith Jr. also played in the major leagues.{{cite news |last1=Perry |first1=Dayn |title=Roy Halladay's son, Braden, pitches perfect inning against the Blue Jays |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/roy-halladays-son-braden-pitches-perfect-inning-against-the-blue-jays/ |access-date=July 23, 2022 |work=CBSSports.com |date=March 17, 2018 |language=en |quote=Interestingly, the Blue Jays' lineup was stuffed with the sons of former big leaguers. Leading and manning second was Cavan Biggio, son of Craig. Batting second and playing short was Bo Bichette, son of Dante (and one of the best prospects in all of baseball). Cleaning up and playing the hot corner was Vladimir Guerrero Jr., son of Vladdy Sr. (and also one of the best prospects in all of baseball). Batting fifth and patrolling left was Dwight Smith Jr., son of Dwight Sr., and playing first base and batting seventh was Kacy Clemens, son of Roger. All of this is to say nothing of Brandon Grudzielanek, nephew of Mark, who was batting sixth and DHing for the Jays.}}{{cite web |last1=Rymer |first1=Zachary D. |title=Making Pops Proud: Ranking Every 2020 MLB Player Whose Dad Also Was in the Bigs |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2896292-making-pops-proud-ranking-every-2020-mlb-player-whose-dad-also-was-in-the-bigs |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=July 23, 2022 |language=en |date=June 21, 2020}}

Smith was arrested for driving under the influence and cannabis possession in Tyrone, Georgia, on November 22, 2003. He was arrested for cocaine possession and driving with a suspended license in Peachtree City, Georgia, on September 6, 2006.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106193482/ex-braves-player-charged-with-cocaine-po/ | title=Ex-Braves player charged with cocaine possession | newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution | date=September 12, 2006 | pages=B2 }}

Smith died on July 22, 2022, of congestive heart and lung failure.{{cite news |title=Ex-Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs outfielder Dwight Smith dies at 58 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34282463/former-atlanta-braves-chicago-cubs-outfielder-dwight-smith-dies-58 |access-date=July 22, 2022 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN |date=July 22, 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/dwight-smith-dies-former-major-leaguer-with-braves-cubs |title=Former World Series champ Dwight Smith dies |work=MLB.com |date=July 22, 2022 |access-date=July 22, 2022}}

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{{1995 Atlanta Braves}}

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Category:1963 births

Category:2022 deaths

Category:Baseball players from Tallahassee, Florida

Category:Major League Baseball outfielders

Category:African-American baseball players

Category:Singers from Florida

Category:Chicago Cubs players

Category:Atlanta Braves players

Category:California Angels players

Category:Baltimore Orioles players

Category:Pikeville Cubs players

Category:St. Paul Saints players

Category:Spartanburg Methodist Pioneers baseball players

Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen