Can you help me find this player?

[Billybob622]

ok my highschool varsity coach played for the expos. His last name is Smith. I don't know his first name. Anyways to help with finding his stats, he is african american or black. I couldn't find him on the MLB site, but I'd like to see his stats newayz. thx 4 in advance.

[exposhistory]

His name is Mike Smith - he played for the Expos briefly in 1988. Here is the info from the 1988 media guide:

TRANSACTIONS: Signed as an undrafted free agent by Cincinnati on May 11, 1981 ... acquired by the Expos on December 1, 1986 for pitcher Bill Cutshall.

CONTRACT: One year through 1988.

MAJOR LEAGUE SERVICE: 82 days.

REPERTOIRE: Fastball, curveball, change.

1987 SEASON: Smith attended his first training camp with the Expos as a member of the 40-man roster ... optioned to AAA-Indianapolis on March 28, he spent the entire season in the American Association ... worked hard in the first half to modify his pitching style, going from a full windup to the stretch position ... the efforts were fruitful because he went from a 6.23 ERA and 30 walks in 47.2 innings in the first half to 2.79 and 13 walks in 38.2 innings in the second half ... he led the team in appearances (45) and shared the lead with Jeff Parrett for saves (9) ... equipped with a powerful throwing arm, Mike's super fastball struck out 90 batters in 86.1 innings ... he has 434 strikeouts in 472.2 career innings.

CAREER: Smith's pro debut in 1981 was impressive, as he logged eight saves and won five games while posting a 1.37 ERA in 22 outings with the Rookie League Billings squad ... his statistics included 52 strikeouts in 46 innings ... in 1982, he was voted fireman-of-the-year after saving a Florida State League-high 21 games, along with a 7-1 record and a 1.23 ERA ... his performance also earned him league all-star honors as well as the outstanding player award on the Tampa team ... missed most of the 1983 season because of a broken foot ... opened the 1984 season with the Reds and notched his first victory on April 9 against Philadelphia ... he was optioned to Wichita (AAA) after eight appearances ... he was among the American Association's top relievers in 1985, saving 17 games and winning five ... recalled by Cincinnati on September 3, he had two outings ... in 1986, he spent two-thirds of the season at Denver, compiling a 3-2 record, 5.28 ERA and two saves in 30 relief appearances ... loaned to Indianapolis for the rest of the season July 26, fashioning a 3-1 record and 5.57 ERA in 10 appearances (5 starts) ... joined the Reds after AAA schedule finished and appeared in two games with no decision.

PERSONAL: Single ... attended Utica Junior College in Mississippi ... in his most recent stay on the Reds' roster, there was another Michael Anthony Smith also a right-handed pitcher ... the other Mike Smith is a native of Texas, and he was usually addressed as Mike "Texas" Smith, while this Mike Smith was called Mike "Mississippi" Smith.

Played on the following team (mainly Reds minor league affiliates):
1981 Billings (Rk.)
1982 Tampa (A)
1983 Waterbury (AA)
1984 Vermont (AA)
Wichita (AAA)
Cincinnati
1985 Denver (AAA)
Cincinnati
1986 Denver/Indy. (AAA)
Cincinnati
1987 Indianapolis (AAA)
1988 Montreal (5 games in September only)

See http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/Psmitm001.htm

I have the 1988/09/25 that he played vs. the Phillies in which he pitched a couple of innings.

There you go - came to the right place.

[Mad Guru]

Could also be Lee Smith.

[ironman]

its most likely not lee smith because he played for 17 years

[ironman]

http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/smithmi04.shtml

[exposhistory]

And that Lee Smith probably made enough $ not to take a high school coaching job. Didn't Lee also get a few votes for the HOF?

[Mad Guru]

And that Lee Smith probably made enough $ not to take a high school coaching job. Didn't Lee also get a few votes for the HOF?

Lee Smith works for the Giants so it must be Mike.

[Billybob622]

well ne1 got a picture?...if i see the picture ill know if its him or not

[exposhistory]

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/1157/1988smithmikeuz8.jpg

[exposhistory]

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/8610/19880925mikesmithinrelipw7.jpg

[Billybob622]

honestly...that doesnt look like him....not to be sarcastic, but he's a lot darker, and has a big chest. newayz, did this same guy play on a minor league team ever?....because there's a Mike Smith on the Fort Worth Cats team, that looks exactly like my coach.

[Mad Guru]

Or you could just go crazy and talk to the guy.

[Billybob622]

Or you could just go crazy and talk to the guy.

Thats great.....i would have never thought of that:rolleyes: ...however its kinda hard to see a coach during the offseason, especially when no one can take to the highschool after hours...:dance

[Mad Guru]

Thats great.....i would have never thought of that:rolleyes: ...however its kinda hard to see a coach during the offseason, especially when no one can take to the highschool after hours...:dance

Well, Mike Smith the Expo lives in Jackson, MS. Is that near you? What school is it? You could probably just call the office and ask the name.

[Billybob622]

Well, Mike Smith the Expo lives in Jackson, MS. Is that near you? What school is it? You could probably just call the office and ask the name.

I thought Mike Smith the expo was born in Jackson, MS. thats a little far south of us. It's Affton High School of St. Louis, MO.

[Mad Guru]

I thought Mike Smith the expo was born in Jackson, MS. thats a little far south of us. It's Affton High School of St. Louis, MO.

Born and still lives there. According to what I found online, last season the coach of Affton High School was Dan Oliver. So I don't know what to tell you at this point.

[exposhistory]

Maybe he has a long commute? .. all kidding aside let's look on the bright side - we now know more about Mike Smith than anyone else. 5 years of research on the Expos and Mike Smith slipped by (well I just hadn't got to him yet).

[JordanDL3891]

why dont you just go ask the guy during the school day?