Reggie Smith’s experience as a baseball player, coach, and consultant encompasses over 50 years
Originally signed by the Minnesota Twins, Reggie was acquired by the Boston Red Sox in 1963. He hit 149 home runs and drove in 536 runs during his seven years with Boston, both team records for a switch hitter. In 1968, he garnered a Gold Glove Award as an outfielder, with 390 putouts, and in 1970, notched an amazing fifteen outfield assists.
Reggie hit 20 or more doubles for nine straight seasons, twice leading the American League. His 314 career home runs placed him fourth on the switch-hitters list when he retired. Reggie appeared in seven All-Star games with the Red Sox, the St. Louis Cardinals (1974-1976), and Los Angeles Dodgers (1976-1981). Reggie played in four World Series, winning in 1981.
After a one-year stint with the San Francisco Giants in 1982, Reggie played two years in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants, before finishing his playing career. The Dodgers brought him back into the organization to be their Minor League Coordinator. Later, Reggie became the Dodgers’ hitting instructor and first base coach. He was instrumental in the development of several Dodger Rookies of the Year, including Hall of Famer, Mike Piazza, as well as Eric Karros, Raul Mondesi and Todd Hollandsworth.
Reggie’s reputation as a coach and teacher didn’t escape the notice of USA Baseball, and in 1999 Reggie helped coach Team USA to a Silver Medal in the Pan Am games, the qualifier for the Olympics. The team was primarily made up of minor leaguers who went on to beat a highly-favored Cuban team to take the Gold Medal in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, with Reggie as their hitting coach.
Director Billy Crystal asked Reggie to be the technical consultant on 61*, the film depicting the 1961 home run race between Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. With precious little time, Reggie trained the stars to literally become the M&M boys.
Today, Reggie consults with major league baseball organizations, offers private and small-group instruction for players of all amateur and professional levels, as well as trains and certifies coaches for various amateur and school baseball leagues around the world.
At a Glance
Batted: |
Switch |
---|---|
Threw: |
Right |
Positions |
Right fielder / Center fielder |
MLB Stats
Batting Average |
.287 |
---|---|
Home Runs |
314 |
Runs Batted In |
1,092 |
Runs |
1,123 |
Doubles |
363 |
Triples |
57 |
Stolen Bases |
137 |
Base on Balls |
890 |
Strikeouts |
1,030 |
On-Base Percentage |
.366 |
Slugging Percentage |
.489 |
Fielding Percentage |
.978 |
Appearances
First MLB Game |
September 18, 1966 |
---|---|
Last MLB Game |
October 3, 1982 |
Teams |
Boston Red Sox (1966–1973) |
World Series Appearances |
1967 (Boston Red Sox) |
Achievements
World Series Champion |
1981, Los Angeles Dodgers |
---|---|
Gold Glove Award Winner |
1968, Boston Red Sox |
Seven-Time MLB All-Star |
1969 |
Red Sox Hall of Fame |
Inducted in 2000 |
Boston Red Sox Most
|
1968 |