View source for Lee Smith (baseball)

{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1957)}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name        = Lee Smith
| image       = Lee Smith.jpg
| caption     = Smith with the Chicago Cubs in 1985
| position    = [[Pitcher]]
| bats        = Right
| throws      = Right
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1957|12|4}}
| birth_place = [[Jamestown, Louisiana]], U.S.
| debutleague = MLB
| debutdate   = September 1
| debutyear   = 1980
| debutteam   = Chicago Cubs
| finalleague = MLB
| finaldate   = July 2
| finalyear   = 1997
| finalteam   = Montreal Expos
| statleague  = MLB
| stat1label  = [[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
| stat1value  = 71–92
| stat2label  = [[Earned run average]]
| stat2value  = 3.03
| stat3label  = [[Strikeout]]s
| stat3value  = 1,251
| stat4label  = [[Save (baseball)|Saves]]
| stat4value  = 478
| teams       = 
* [[Chicago Cubs]] ({{mlby|1980}}–{{mlby|1987}})
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{mlby|1988}}–{{mlby|1990}})
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{mlby|1990}}–{{mlby|1993}})
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|1993}})
* [[Baltimore Orioles]] ({{mlby|1994}})
* [[Los Angeles Angels|California Angels]] ({{mlby|1995}}–{{mlby|1996}})
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|1996}})
* [[Montreal Expos]] ({{mlby|1997}})
| highlights  = 
* 7× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1983 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1983]], [[1987 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1987]], [[1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1991]]–[[1995 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1995]])
* 3× [[Rolaids Relief Man Award]] (1991, 1992, 1994)
* 4× [[List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders|Saves leader]] (1983, 1991, 1992, 1994)
* [[Chicago Cubs#Cubs Hall of Fame|Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame]]
| hoflink     = National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
| hoftype     = National
| hofdate     = [[2019 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|2019]]
| hofvote     = 100%
| hofmethod   = Today's Game Era Committee
}}

'''Lee Arthur Smith''' (born December 4, 1957) is an American former professional [[baseball]] player who was a [[pitcher]] for 18 years in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for eight teams. Serving mostly as a [[relief pitcher]] during his career, he was a dominant [[Closer (baseball)|closer]], was the first pitcher to reach 400 [[Save (baseball)|saves]], and held the major league record for career saves from 1993 until 2006, when [[Trevor Hoffman]] passed his total of 478.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20061004&content_id=1699099&vkey=pr_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd |title=Padres closer Trevor Hoffman to catch ceremonial first pitch delivered by Lee Smith prior to Thursday's game |access-date=May 8, 2007 |date=October 4, 2006 |publisher=Major League Baseball |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101152640/http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20061004&content_id=1699099&vkey=pr_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd |archive-date=November 1, 2007}}</ref>  He was elected to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] as part of the class of {{bhofy|2019}} by the [[Veterans Committee#2016 revisions|Today's Game Era Committee]].

A native of [[Jamestown, Louisiana|Jamestown]] in [[Bienville Parish, Louisiana|Bienville Parish]] in north [[Louisiana]], Smith was scouted by [[Buck O'Neil]] and was selected by the [[Chicago Cubs]] in the [[1975 Major League Baseball draft|1975 MLB draft]]. Smith was an intimidating figure on the pitcher's mound at {{convert|6|ft|6|in|m}} and {{convert|265|lb|kg}} with a 95-mile-per-hour (150&nbsp;km/h) [[fastball]].<ref name="BBLib">{{cite web |url=https://baseballbiography.com/lee-smith-1957 |title=Lee Smith |access-date=August 13, 2006 |last=Long |first=Shepard C. |publisher=baseballbiography.com}}</ref> In 1991, he set a [[National League (baseball)|National League]] (NL) record with 47 saves for the [[St. Louis Cardinals]], and was runner-up for the league's [[Cy Young Award]]; it was the second of three times Smith [[List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders|led the NL in saves]], and he later led the [[American League]] (AL) in saves once. When he retired, he held the major league record for career [[games finished]] (802) and was third in [[games pitched]] (1,022). He holds the Cubs' team record for career saves (180),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/leaders_pitch.shtml |title=Chicago Cubs Top 10 Career Pitching Leaders |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 4, 2021}}</ref> and held the same record for the Cardinals (160) until 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78914119/carpenter-stifles-pirates/ |title=Carpenter stifles Pirates |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |page=15 |date=June 14, 2006 |access-date=June 4, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Smith became known for taking his time to reach the mound when called upon, which Smith attributed to a fact he learned that the groundskeepers at [[Wrigley Field]] would receive time and a half for games that went past 4:30 p.m.<ref name="slowwalk">{{cite web |url=https://sportscollectorsdigest.com/news/lee-smith-hall-fame-baseball |title=Lee Smith makes the Hall of Fame after reluctantly playing baseball |access-date=October 8, 2025 |last=Grayson |first=Robert |publisher=Sports Collectors Digest}}</ref>

After his playing career, Smith worked as a pitching instructor in [[Minor League Baseball]] for the [[San Francisco Giants]]. He served as the pitching coach for the [[South Africa national baseball team]] in the [[World Baseball Classic]]s of [[2006 World Baseball Classic|2006]] and [[2009 World Baseball Classic|2009]].

==Early life==
Smith attended high school in [[Castor, Louisiana]], where his favorite sport was basketball; he did not play on the baseball team until he was a [[Junior (education year)|junior]].<ref name=SABR>{{cite web |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/lee-smith/ |title=Lee Smith |first=Neal |last=Poloncarz |website=SABR |access-date=June 4, 2021}}</ref> Smith said he began playing only because his brother bet him $10 that he couldn't handle the position of catcher.<ref>{{cite news |last1=NEWHAN |first1=ROSS |title=CAN HE PULL UP THE RED SOX? : Smith Still Searching for Respect in Baseball |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-03-22-sp-1690-story.html |access-date=9 June 2024 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=March 22, 1988}}</ref> [[Negro league baseball|Negro leagues]] veteran [[Buck O'Neil]] is credited with having [[Scout (sport)|scouted]] him.<ref name="ONeil">{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/history/mlb_negro_leagues_story.jsp?story=legacy_banquet |title=Pierre, Rollins two of many to win Legacy Awards |access-date=August 13, 2006 |last=Eskew |first=Alan |publisher=Major League Baseball |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050719083220/http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/history/mlb_negro_leagues_story.jsp?story=legacy_banquet |archive-date=July 19, 2005 |via=Wayback Machine}}</ref>

==Professional career==
===Draft and minor leagues===
At age 17, Smith was selected in the second round of the [[1975 Major League Baseball draft|1975 MLB draft]] by the [[Chicago Cubs]] with the 28th overall pick.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/draft/baseball-draft.php?yr=1975 |title=1975 Baseball Draft |website=Baseball Almanac |access-date=June 4, 2021}}</ref> The Cubs, via O'Neil, were able to get Smith under contract for a $50,000 [[signing bonus]] plus $8,000 for his education.<ref name=the-other/>

Smith began his professional career as a [[starting pitcher]], first playing in the rookie-level [[Gulf Coast League]] in 1975.<ref name=brm>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=smith-001lee |title=Lee Smith Minor Leagues Statistics & History |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 4, 2021}}</ref> He played in [[Class A (baseball)|Class A]] in 1976 and 1977 with the [[Pompano Beach Cubs]], then in [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] during 1978 and 1979 with the [[Midland Cubs]].<ref name=brm/> In 1978, Smith struggled with Midland in the [[Texas League]], [[Base on balls|walk]]ing 128 batters in 155 [[innings pitched]].<ref name=brm/> When the team moved him to the [[bullpen]], Smith felt he was being demoted and nearly quit the team; a talk from former Cubs outfielder [[Billy Williams (left fielder)|Billy Williams]] convinced him to stay.<ref name=the-other>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78915344/the-other-lee-smith/ |title=The 'other' Lee Smith |first1=Teddy |last1=Allen |first2=John James |last2=Marshall |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |pages=4–8 |date=July 26, 1987 |access-date=June 4, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Smith returned to Midland in 1979, lowering his [[earned run average]] (ERA) by a full run compared to the prior season (5.98 to 4.93).<ref name=brm/> In 1980, Smith played in [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] with the [[Wichita Aeros]] of the [[American Association (20th century)|American Association]], recording 15 [[Save (baseball)|save]]s and a 3.70 ERA.<ref name=brm/>

===Chicago Cubs (1980–1987)===
Smith made his major league debut with the Cubs, who were struggling to a last-place finish,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1980/Y_1980.htm |title=The 1980 Season |website=Retrosheet |access-date=June 4, 2021}}</ref> on September 1, 1980,<ref name=retro/> against the [[Atlanta Braves]].<ref name=debut>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B09010CHN1980.htm |title=Atlanta Braves vs. Chicago Cubs |date=September 1, 1980 |access-date=June 4, 2021 |website=Retrosheet}}</ref> He pitched a scoreless inning and recorded his first MLB strikeout, coming against [[Glenn Hubbard (baseball)|Glenn Hubbard]].<ref name=debut/> Smith made 18 relief appearances through the end of the season, pitching to a 2.91 ERA with a 2–0 record.<ref name=br/> He returned to the Cubs for the 1981 season, and was used mostly as a [[middle relief pitcher]].<ref name=log1981>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1981/Ksmitl0010021981.htm |title=The 1981 CHI N Regular Season Pitching Log for Lee Smith |website=Retrosheet |access-date=June 4, 2021}}</ref> His first major league save came on August 29,<ref name=log1981/> when he recorded the final five outs of a 3–1 Cubs win over the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1981/B08290LAN1981.htm |title=Chicago Cubs 3, Los Angeles Dodgers 1 |website=Retrosheet |access-date=June 4, 2021}}</ref> Smith had an ERA of 3.94 through early June,<ref name=log1981/> when the season was interrupted by the [[1981 Major League Baseball strike]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thisgreatgame.com/1981-baseball-history/ |title=1981: No Ball, One Strike |website=This Great Game |access-date=June 4, 2021}}</ref> He finished the season with an ERA of 3.51 and a 3–6 record, coming in 39 relief appearances plus a single start at the end of the season.<ref name=br>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithle02.shtml |title=Lee Smith Stats |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 4, 2021}}</ref><ref name=log1981/>

During the 1982 season, closing for the Cubs was shared between Smith, [[Willie Hernández]], [[Bill Campbell (baseball)|Bill Campbell]] and [[Dick Tidrow]], each of whom finished at least 25 games while registering 17, 10, 8, and 6 saves, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1982.shtml |title=1982 Chicago Cubs Statistics |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 6, 2021}}</ref> Smith also started five games between June 16 and July 5, registering a [[no decision]] followed by four consecutive losses.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1982/Ksmitl0010031982.htm |title=The 1982 CHI N Regular Season Pitching Log for Lee Smith |website=Retrosheet |access-date=June 6, 2021}}</ref> These five starts, along with the start at the end of the 1981 season, were the only six starts that Smith made during his major league career.<ref name=retro/> Smith also collected his first MLB [[hit (baseball)|hit]],<ref name=retro/> coming on July 5 against Atlanta,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1982/Ismitl0010031982.htm |title=The 1982 CHI N Regular Season Batting Log for Lee Smith |website=Retrosheet |access-date=June 3, 2021}}</ref> a second-inning [[home run]] off of [[Phil Niekro]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1982/B07050ATL1982.htm |title=Atlanta Braves 7, Chicago Cubs 5 |date=July 5, 1982 |access-date=June 3, 2021 |website=Retrosheet}}</ref> Smith only collected two additional hits, one each in 1983 and 1984, registering a career [[Batting average (baseball)|batting average]] of .047 (3-for-64).<ref name=retro>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/S/Psmitl001.htm |title=Lee Smith |website=Retrosheet |access-date=June 3, 2021}}</ref>

[[Ferguson Jenkins]], who had pitched for the Cubs from 1966 to 1973, returned to the Cubs for the final two seasons of his career, 1982 and 1983.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jenkife01.shtml |title=Fergie Jenkins Stats |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 6, 2021}}</ref> Years later, Smith credited Jenkins with simplifying his delivery, introducing him to the [[Slider (baseball)|slider]] and [[forkball]], and teaching him how to set up hitters.<ref name=Murray>{{cite news |first=Jim |last=Murray |author-link=Jim Murray (sportswriter) |title=Baseball Collecting Is Hot, but No One Saves Like Him |work=Los Angeles Times |page=C8 |date=August 24, 1995 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79033581/baseball-collecting-is-hot-but-no-one-s/ |access-date=June 6, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Smith subsequently led the Cubs in games finished and saves for each of the 1983 through 1987 seasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1983.shtml |title=1983 Chicago Cubs Statistics |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1984.shtml |title=1984 Chicago Cubs Statistics |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1985.shtml |title=1985 Chicago Cubs Statistics |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1986.shtml |title=1986 Chicago Cubs Statistics |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1987.shtml |title=1987 Chicago Cubs Statistics |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 6, 2021}}</ref>

During his first 10 appearances of 1983, Smith allowed no runs while allowing only three hits and [[strikeout|striking out]] 12 batters in {{frac|12|2|3}} innings pitched; his ERA was not above 1.85 at any point during the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?n1=smithle02&t=p&year=1983 |title=Lee Smith 1983 Pitching Gamelogs |access-date=May 7, 2007 |publisher=Sports Reference, Inc.}}</ref> His overall 1.65 ERA for the season proved to be the lowest of his major league career,<ref name=br/> nearly two runs better than the NL average of 3.63,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1983.shtml |title=1983 NL Team Statistics |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 11, 2021}}</ref> and he also posted a career-best 1.074 [[Walks plus hits per inning pitched|WHIP]].<ref name=br/> He led the NL with 29 saves and 56 games finished.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL_1983_t.shtml |title=1983 National League Expanded Leaderboards |access-date=May 7, 2007 |publisher=Sports Reference, Inc. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070501204251/http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL_1983_t.shtml |archive-date=May 1, 2007}}</ref> Smith was selected to his first [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]],<ref name=br/> allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits in an inning of work as his NL team lost the [[1983 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1983 mid-summer classic]] to the AL, 13–3.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1983/B07060ALS1983.htm |date=July 6, 1983 |title=American League 13, National League 3 |website=Retrosheet |access-date=June 11, 2021}}</ref> Smith received a point in the NL's [[Cy Young Award]] voting and eight points in the NL [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player Award]] voting.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1983.shtml |title=Awards Voting for 1983 |access-date=May 7, 2007 |publisher=Sports Reference, Inc.}}</ref>

The 1984 Cubs made the franchise's first postseason appearance since 1945,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79366457/cubs-clinch-nl-east-crown-first-title-s/ |title=Cubs Clinch NL East Crown: First Title Since 1945 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Herald-Palladium |location=[[St. Joseph, Michigan]] |page=14 |date=September 25, 1984 |access-date=June 11, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and were the first of only two playoff teams that Smith played for (the other being the 1988 Red Sox).<ref name=retro/> Smith saved more than 30 games for the first time in his career, but compiled a 3.65 ERA, his worst of the decade.<ref name=retro/> In the postseason, he appeared in two games of the [[1984 National League Championship Series|NL Championship Series]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1984/Ksmitl0013231984.htm |title=The 1984 CHI N League Championship Series Pitching Log for Lee Smith |website=Retrosheet |access-date=June 11, 2021}}</ref> In Game 2, Smith earned the save in a 4–2 Cubs win by recording the final two outs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1984/B10030CHN1984.htm |title=Chicago Cubs 4, San Diego Padres 2 |date=October 3, 1984 |access-date=June 11, 2021}}</ref> The win gave the Cubs a two-games-to-none lead in the best-of-five series, but the [[San Diego Padres]] won the next three games to deny the Cubs a berth in the [[1984 World Series]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/october-3-1984-steve-trouts-solid-performance-puts-cubs-one-win-away-from-world-series/ |title=October 3, 1984: Steve Trout's solid performance puts Cubs one win away from World Series |first=Gordon |last=Gattie |website=SABR |access-date=June 11, 2021}}</ref> Smith took the loss in Game 4: entering in the bottom of the eighth with the game tied, 5–5, he allowed one hit and kept the game tied; in the bottom of the ninth, he allowed a one-out single to [[Tony Gwynn]], followed by a two-run [[walk-off home run]] by [[Steve Garvey]] to force a deciding fifth game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1984/B10060SDN1984.htm |title=San Diego Padres 7, Chicago Cubs 5 |date=October 6, 1984 |website=Retrosheet |access-date=June 11, 2021}}</ref> Smith did not pitch in Game 5, and San Diego won the final game of the series with a score of 6–3.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1984/B10070SDN1984.htm |title=San Diego Padres 6, Chicago Cubs 3 |date=October 7, 1984 |website=Retrosheet |access-date=June 11, 2021}}</ref>

In 1985, Smith for the first time dominated the league in strikeouts as a relief pitcher. After averaging fewer than eight [[strikeouts per nine innings]] in each prior season, he improved to 10.32 in 1985. He finished the season with a career-high 112 strikeouts in only {{frac|97|2|3}} innings pitched.<ref name=br/> Smith saved more than 30 games while the Cubs had losing records in 1985, 1986 and 1987. In 1987, he was chosen for his second All-Star Game.<ref name=br/> When the midsummer classic went into [[extra innings]], Smith pitched the 10th, 11th and 12th innings, striking out four and getting credit for the [[win (baseball)|win]] when the NL scored the only two runs of the game in the 13th.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1987/B07140ALS1987.htm |title=July 14, 1987 All-Star Game – American League vs. National League |access-date=May 7, 2007 |publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref> With his 30th save in 1987, Smith became only the second pitcher (joining [[Dan Quisenberry]]) to reach the mark in four consecutive seasons.<ref name=sabr>{{cite web |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/lee-smith/ |title=Lee Smith |first=Neal |last=Poloncarz |website=SABR |access-date=September 20, 2021}}</ref> One player told writers [[Bruce Nash]] and [[Allan Zullo]] for their book, ''Baseball Confidential'', that one of the most daunting sights in the majors was Smith throwing "pure gas from out of the shadows" of [[Wrigley Field]],<ref>{{cite book |title=Baseball Confidential |first1=Bruce |last1=Nash |first2=Allan |last2=Zullo |page=67 |publisher=Pocket Books |date=1988 |isbn=0-671-69217-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/baseballconfiden00bruc/page/66/mode/2up |access-date=September 20, 2021 |via=Wayback Machine |url-access=limited}}</ref> which did not have lights at the time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/on-this-day-in-1988-wrigley-field-hosted-its-first-night-game-c246449864 |title=The Cubs turned the lights on at Wrigley Field 29 years ago today |first=Andrew |last=Mearns |publisher=Major League Baseball |date=August 8, 2017 |access-date=September 20, 2021}}</ref>

Despite his numbers, rumors were swirling about his weight and its effect on his knees, and his request for a trade out of Chicago.<ref name="BBLib"/><ref name="BostonGlobeCloseUp">{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2004/06/19/close_up_with_the_ultimate_closer/ |title=Close up with the ultimate closer |access-date=August 19, 2006 |date=June 19, 2004 |last=Goode |first=Jon |work=The Boston Globe}}</ref> On December 8, Smith, the team's career leader in saves,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/leaders_pitch.shtml |title=Chicago Cubs Pitching Leaders |access-date=May 7, 2007 |publisher=Sports Reference, Inc.}}</ref> was traded to the [[Boston Red Sox]] for pitchers [[Al Nipper]] and [[Calvin Schiraldi]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Holtzman, George Vass |first=Jerome |author-link=Jerome Holtzman |author2=George Vass |title=Baseball, Chicago Style: A Tale of Two Teams, One City |publisher=Bonus Books, Inc. |location=Chicago |year=2001 |isbn=1-56625-170-2 |page=214}}</ref> While Smith registered nearly 300 saves after the trade,<ref name=br/> Nipper only pitched in 31 more major-league games,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nippeal01.shtml |title=Al Nipper Stats |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=August 29, 2021}}</ref> while Schiraldi was out of baseball before age 30.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/schirca01.shtml |title=Calvin Schiraldi Stats |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=August 29, 2021}}</ref>

===Boston Red Sox (1988–1990)===
The [[Boston Red Sox]] finished the 1987 season with a losing record, at 78–84.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1987.shtml |title=1987 Boston Red Sox Statistics and Roster |access-date=January 7, 2007 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> One of the main problems was a weak [[bullpen]], leading to Boston's acquisition of Smith in December 1987.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80736477/red-sox-beef-up-bullpen/ |title=Red Sox beef up bullpen |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Brattleboro Reformer |location=Brattleboro, Vermont |page=14 |date=December 9, 1987 |access-date=July 3, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Despite giving up a game-winning home run in his 1988 [[Opening Day]] debut at [[Fenway Park]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS198804040.shtml |title=Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox Box Score |date=April 4, 1988 |access-date=January 7, 2007 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> Smith posted an ERA of 2.80 in 64 regular season appearances, his lowest ERA since 1983 (1.65).<ref name=br/> The Red Sox finished first in the [[American League East]] division with a regular season record of 89–73.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1988/Y_1988.htm |title=The 1988 Season |website=Retrosheet |access-date=July 3, 2021}}</ref> In Smith's second (and final) appearance in the postseason, he made two appearances in the [[1988 American League Championship Series|AL Championship Series]].<ref name=br/> Against the [[Oakland Athletics]], he was the losing pitcher in Game 2, allowing the winning run via three ninth-inning singles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B10060BOS1988.htm |title=Oakland Athletics 4, Boston Red Sox 3 |date=October 6, 1988 |website=Retrosheet |access-date=January 7, 2007}}</ref> In Game 4, with Boston down three games to none and trailing 2–1, Smith allowed two insurance runs in the eighth inning as Oakland completed the series sweep.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/B10090OAK1988.htm |title=Oakland Athletics 4, Boston Red Sox 1 |date=October 9, 1988 |website=Retrosheet |access-date=January 7, 2007}}</ref>

Entering 1989, Smith's salary rose to $1.425&nbsp;million.<ref name=br/> His ERA for the season was 3.57, his highest since 1984 (3.65), and he only pitched {{frac|70|2|3}} innings, his lowest total since 1981 ({{frac|60|1|3}}).<ref name=br/> He recorded a career-high of 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings.<ref name=br/> The Red Sox finished at 83–79, third place in their division.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1989/Y_1989.htm |title=The 1989 Season |website=Retrosheet |access-date=July 3, 2021}}</ref>

For the 1980s, Smith recorded 234 saves in 580 MLB relief appearances, with an ERA of 2.95.<ref name=br/> Smith and [[Jeff Reardon]] are considered to be among the top relievers of the decade,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/386011-mlbs-10-best-relief-pitchers-of-the-1980s-gossage-orosco-sutter |title=MLB: 10 Best Relief Pitchers of the 1980s: Gossage, Orosco, Sutter? |author=Michael W |website=Bleacher Report |date=April 29, 2010 |access-date=July 3, 2021}}</ref> with Reardon recording 264 saves in 507 relief appearances with a 3.06 ERA for the decade.<ref name=Reardon>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reardje01.shtml |title=Jeff Reardon Statistics |access-date=July 3, 2021 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> In December 1989, the Red Sox signed [[free agent]] Reardon to a three-year, $6.8&nbsp;million contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80751424/reardon-bolts-hrbek-signs/ |title=Reardon bolts; Hrbek signs |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Argus Leader |location=Sioux Falls, South Dakota |page=1D |date=December 7, 1989 |access-date=July 3, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> During the first month of the 1990 season, both Smith and Reardon pitched for the Red Sox, with Smith earning four saves and Reardon earning one.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1990/Ksmitl0010111990.htm |title=The 1990 BOS A Regular Season Pitching Log for Lee Smith |website=Retrosheet |access-date=July 3, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1990/Krearj0010131990.htm |title=The 1990 BOS A Regular Season Pitching Log for Jeff Reardon |website=Retrosheet |access-date=July 3, 2021}}</ref> On May 4, the Red Sox chose to bolster their offense and traded Smith to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] for outfielder [[Tom Brunansky]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80752922/sox-trade-smith-for-brunansky/ |title=Sox trade Smith for Brunansky |first1=Nick |last1=Cafardo |first2=Steve |last2=Fainaru |newspaper=The Boston Globe |page=29 |date=May 5, 1990 |access-date=July 3, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Overall in his two-plus seasons in Boston, Smith had appeared in 139 games while collecting 58 saves; in {{frac|168|2|3}} innings pitched he struck out 209 batters.<ref name=br/>

===St. Louis Cardinals (1990–1993)===
Smith made his St. Louis debut on May 6, 1990,<ref name=StL1990log/> allowing two runs on three hits in an inning of work during a 5–1 loss.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1990/B05060SLN1990.htm |title=Cincinnati Reds 5, St. Louis Cardinals 1 |website=Retrosheet |date=May 6, 1990 |access-date=July 17, 2021}}</ref> He made 53 appearances with the 1990 Cardinals, registering 27 saves with a 2.10 ERA while striking out 70 batters in {{frac|68|2|3}} innings.<ref name=retro/> He also had a stretch of 16 consecutive appearances without allowing a run, spanning late June to early August.<ref name=StL1990log>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1990/Ksmitl0010121990.htm |title=The 1990 STL N Regular Season Pitching Log for Lee Smith |website=Retrosheet |access-date=July 17, 2021}}</ref> The team, however, finished at 70–92 and in last place.<ref name=STLhistory>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/index.shtml |title=St. Louis Cardinals Team History & Encyclopedia |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=July 17, 2021}}</ref>

In 1991, St. Louis improved to 84–78,<ref name=STLhistory/> while Smith recorded a career-high 47 saves.<ref name=br/> He surpassed the National League record for saves on October 1, previously held by [[Bruce Sutter]] and set in 1984 when Sutter also played for the Cardinals.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81734161/savoring-smith-teammates-pull-for-cards/ |title=Savoring Smith: Teammates Pull For Cards Reliever To Break Mark |first=Dan |last=O'Neill |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |page=3E |date=September 29, 1991 |access-date=July 18, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81734537/cardinals-3-expos-1/ |title=Cardinals 3, Expos 1 |newspaper=The Gettysburg Times |page=14 |date=October 2, 1991 |access-date=July 18, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> With Smith's salary roughly doubled to nearly $2.8&nbsp;million,<ref name=br/> this was the first of four consecutive seasons during which he had over 40 saves.<ref name=br/> Smith won his first [[Rolaids Relief Man Award]],<ref name=Rolaids>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/reliever.shtml |title=MLB Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, & Rolaids Relief Award Winners |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref> received the most significant consideration for league [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|MVP]] in his career (finishing eighth in NL MVP voting),<ref name=br/> and finished second in [[Cy Young Award]] voting behind [[Tom Glavine]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1991.shtml#all_NL_CYA_voting |title=Awards Voting for 1991: NL Cy Young Voting |access-date=May 7, 2007 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>

Smith again led the NL in saves in 1992, registering 43.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/SV_leagues.shtml |title=Yearly League Leaders & Records for Saves |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=July 31, 2021}}</ref> In 70 appearances, he struck out 60 batters in 75 innings, while recording a 3.12 ERA;<ref name=br/> he also won his second Rolaids Relief Man Award.<ref name=Rolaids/> In a game on September 23, 1992, Smith committed an [[error (baseball)|error]];<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1992/Msmitl0010141992.htm |title=The 1992 STL N Regular Season Fielding Log for Lee Smith |website=Retrosheet |access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref> he had last committed an error in a National League game on June 30, 1982, while with the Cubs.<ref name=retro/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1982/Msmitl0010031982.htm |title=The 1982 CHI N Regular Season Fielding Log for Lee Smith |website=Retrosheet |access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref> This span of 546 appearances was the NL record for consecutive errorless games by a pitcher<ref>{{cite web |url=https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/smith-lee |title=Lee Smith |website=baseballhall.org |access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref> until broken by [[Heath Bell]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/rb_pier.shtml |title=MLB Error Records for Pitchers |website=Baseball Almanac |access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref>

In 1993, Smith passed Jeff Reardon in MLB career saves on April 13 with save number 358,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82566748/lee-smith-saves-record-358/ |title=Lee Smith saves record 358 |first=John |last=Nadel |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Times |location=Shreveport, Louisiana |page=22 |date=April 14, 1993 |access-date=July 31, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and passed Bruce Sutter on April 14 for the National League's career saves record, recording NL save number 301,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82568593/lee-smith-owns-nl-majors-saves-marks-bu/ |title=Lee Smith Owns NL, Majors Saves Marks But Not Team Record |first=Rick |last=Hummel |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |page=35 |date=April 16, 1993 |access-date=July 31, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> compiled with the Cubs and Cardinals. In June, Smith had 15 saves, which set an MLB record for the most saves in any month.<ref name=rb_saves>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_saves.shtml |title=Saves Records |website=Baseball Almanac |access-date=July 31, 2021}}</ref> On August 31, with St. Louis 10 [[games behind]] the [[Philadelphia Phillies]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1993/08311993.htm |title=Standings at Close of Play of August 31, 1993 |website=Retrosheet |access-date=July 31, 2021}}</ref> seemingly out of contention, and with Smith poised to become a free agent after the season, the Cardinals traded Smith to the Yankees for reliever [[Rich Batchelor]].<ref name=br/><ref name="JetFA">{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QsEDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA46 |title=Cards Trade Ace Reliever Lee Smith To N.Y. Yankees |access-date=November 12, 2012 |date=September 20, 1993 |work=Jet |page=46 }}</ref> With St. Louis, Smith recorded 43 saves in 55 appearances during 1993, striking out 49 batters in 50 innings, albeit with a 4.50 ERA.<ref name=br/> He left the Cardinals as their all-time save leader (160) until [[Jason Isringhausen]] passed him on June 13, 2006.<ref name="IzzyRecord">{{cite web |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060613&content_id=1503761&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |title=Izzy now Cards all-time saves leader |access-date=August 20, 2006 |date=June 13, 2006 |last=Leach |first=Matthew |publisher=Major League Baseball |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060628030641/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060613&content_id=1503761&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |archive-date=June 28, 2006}}</ref> Smith's NL single-season record of 47 saves was bested by both [[Rod Beck]] of the [[San Francisco Giants]] and [[Randy Myers]] of the Cubs two years later, with 48 and 53 saves respectively.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 4, 1993 |title=All-time relievers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82567478/all-time-relievers/ |access-date=July 31, 2021 |work=Santa Cruz Sentinel |page=20 |via=Newspapers.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

===New York Yankees (1993)===
The Yankees were just {{frac|1|1|2}} [[games behind]] the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] when they acquired Smith.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1993/08311993.htm |title=Standings at Close of Play of August 31, 1993 |website=Retrosheet |access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref> In eight appearances for the Yankees, Smith did not allow any runs and picked up three saves and 11 strikeouts in eight innings pitched.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?n1=smithle02&t=p&year=1993 |title=Lee Smith 1993 Pitching Gamelogs |access-date=May 7, 2007 |publisher=Sports Reference, Inc.}}</ref> The team went 11–15 during September<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1993-schedule-scores.shtml#all_win_loss |title=1993 New York Yankees Schedule: Team Win/Loss Splits |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref> as Toronto won the division by seven games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1993/Y_1993.htm |title=The 1993 Season |website=Retrosheet |access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref> Smith filed for free agency after the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1993-transactions.shtml |title=1993 New York Yankees Trades and Transactions |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref>

===Baltimore Orioles (1994)===
Smith signed with the [[Baltimore Orioles]] for the 1994 season for $1.5&nbsp;million plus incentives.<ref name=queryny1>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B07E0DD1539F933A05752C0A962958260 |title=Lee Smith Is a New Oriole |access-date=January 8, 2007 |date=January 30, 1994 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> At age 36, he had his most successful season; in his first 12 games, he had 12 saves and a 0.00 ERA.<ref name="1994season">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?n1=smithle02&t=p&year=1994 |title=Lee Smith 1994 Pitching Gamelogs |access-date=May 7, 2007 |publisher=Sports Reference, Inc.}}</ref> After nearly two months, his ERA was under 1.00 and it was still under 2.00 in mid-July.<ref name="1994season"/> Smith was selected for the All-Star Game in 1991, 1992, and 1993, but had not played.<ref name=retro/> The [[1994 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1994 All-Star Game]] was his sixth selection, and he was brought into the game to hold a two-run American League lead in the ninth inning. Instead, he gave up a game-tying two-run home run to [[Fred McGriff]], and the AL lost in 10 innings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1994/B07120NLS1994.htm |title=July 12, 1994 All-Star Game – American League vs. National League |access-date=May 7, 2007 |publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref> Smith's bad streak continued for the next several weeks until the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike]] ended the season. In the strike-shortened campaign, Smith recorded 33 saves with a 3.29 ERA and captured his third (and final) Rolaids Relief Man Award.<ref name=Rolaids/>

===California Angels (1995–1996)===
After filing for free agency again, Smith signed a two-year contract with the [[Los Angeles Angels|California Angels]] for over $2.5&nbsp;million while the strike was still in progress.<ref name="BBLib"/> In 1995, Smith registered a save in every appearance from April 28 to June 25.<ref name="1995season">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?n1=smithle02&t=p&year=1995 |title=Lee Smith 1995 Pitching Gamelogs |access-date=May 7, 2007 |publisher=Sports Reference, Inc.}}</ref> On June 11, he saved his 16th consecutive game to break the major league record set by [[Doug Jones (baseball)|Doug Jones]] in 1988.<ref name="CNN1995">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/EVENTS/year_in_review/sports/jun.html |title=June (Sports Year in Review) |access-date=August 17, 2006 |year=1995 |publisher=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061030205436/http://www.cnn.com/EVENTS/year_in_review/sports/jun.html |archive-date=October 30, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He ran his streak to 19 games before losing a save game on June 28;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TEX/TEX199506280.shtml |title=June 28, 1995 California Angels at Texas Rangers Box Score and Play by Play |access-date=October 20, 2007 |publisher=Sports Reference, Inc.}}</ref> Smith's record was broken by [[John Wetteland]], who saved 24 straight the next year.<ref name="BBLib"/> After keeping his ERA at 0.00 through the first two months of the season, Smith was selected to his seventh and final All-Star Game, thereby becoming the fourth player to be an All-Star for four different teams (after [[Walker Cooper]], [[George Kell]] and [[Rich Gossage|Goose Gossage]]).<ref name="BDigAS">{{cite news |url=http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/9948104/baseball-quick-quiz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302011020/http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/9948104/baseball-quick-quiz |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 2, 2016 |title=Baseball quick quiz |access-date=August 21, 2006 |date=July 2003 |publisher=Baseball Digest |volume=62 |issue=7 |page=51}}</ref> Smith did not fare well for the next month, pushing his ERA up to 5.40. The Angels held a double-digit lead in the division and seemed poised for the postseason. However, the Angels went 14–29 in their final 43 games to finish in a tie with the [[Seattle Mariners]] atop the [[American League West|AL West]], then lost the [[1995 American League West tie-breaker game|tie-breaker game]] to miss the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-collapse-1995-20150807-story.html |title=It has been 20 years since the Angels' biggest collapse |first=Mike |last=DiGiovanna |website=Los Angeles Times |date=August 6, 2015 |access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> Despite the team's difficulties, Smith pitched effectively during August and September, registering 13 saves against a single blown save.<ref name="1995season"/> He finished the season with 37 saves and an ERA more than a run lower than the AL average (3.47 vs. 4.71).<ref name=br/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1995.shtml |title=1995 AL Team Statistics |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref>

Early in the 1996 season, Smith spent time on the [[disabled list]] following offseason surgery—he had torn a tendon in his right knee while on a hunting trip—and second-year pitcher [[Troy Percival]] established himself as the Angels' closer.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85992909/lee-smith-traded-to-reds-but-might-not/ |title=Lee Smith traded to Reds, but might not be closer |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Star Tribune |location=Minneapolis, Minnesota |page=C7 |date=May 28, 1996 |access-date=September 25, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Smith was briefly with the [[Lake Elsinore Storm]] on a rehabilitation assignment, his first time in the minor leagues since 1980.<ref name=brm/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86164252/calling-out-the-cal-league/ |title=Calling out the Cal League |newspaper=The Fresno Bee |page=E2 |date=April 19, 1996 |access-date=September 28, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Upon his return to the Angels, Smith was unhappy with an inconsistent role, commenting, "I could write a movie about the past few weeks... but it would have to be a cartoon."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85991888/smith-unhappy-confused-about-role/ |title=Smith unhappy, confused about role |first=Jeff |last=Miller |newspaper=The San Bernardino Sun |page=31 |date=May 23, 1996 |access-date=September 25, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He pitched in a total of 11 games for the Angels during April and May, then was traded to the [[Cincinnati Reds]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85992079/angels-finally-close-the-book-on-lee-smi/ |title=Angels Finally Close the Book on Lee Smith |first=Mike |last=DiGiovanna |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=C1 |date=May 28, 1996 |access-date=September 25, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1996/Ksmitl0010191996.htm |title=The 1996 CAL A Regular Season Pitching Log for Lee Smith |website=Retrosheet |access-date=September 25, 2021}}</ref>

===Cincinnati Reds (1996)===
Smith was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for reliever [[Chuck McElroy]] on May 27, 1996.<ref name="TSNUnhappiness">{{cite news |url=https://business.highbeam.com/62653/article-1G1-18373845/bowden-move-makes-division-rivals-see-reds |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303182241/https://business.highbeam.com/62653/article-1G1-18373845/bowden-move-makes-division-rivals-see-reds |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |title=Bowden's move makes division rivals see Reds |access-date=August 21, 2006 |date=June 10, 1996 |last=Nightengale |first=Bob |publisher=The Sporting News}}</ref> Smith assumed setup duty for the Reds as closer [[Jeff Brantley]] was en route to a career-high 44 saves.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brantje01.shtml |title=Jeff Brantley Stats |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 25, 2021}}</ref> In his return to the National League, Smith appeared in 43 games and registered two saves;<ref name=br/> his ERA with the Reds (4.06)<ref name=br/> was nearly as high as the league average (4.21),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1996.shtml |title=1996 National League Team Statistics |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 25, 2021}}</ref> while for the full season he logged 6.7 strikeouts per nine innings pitched, the lowest to that point in his career.<ref name=br/> The Reds granted him free agency after the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1996-transactions.shtml |title=1996 Cincinnati Reds Trades and Transactions |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 25, 2021}}</ref>

===Montreal Expos (1997)===
Smith was picked up by the [[Montreal Expos]] for 1997 on a $400,000 contract. This was Smith's final season of his career. His last game of the season, and his career, was two innings of extra-innings relief during an interleague [[Pearson Cup|rivalry game]] won by Toronto on July 2.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1997/B07020TOR1997.htm |title=July 2, 1997 Game – Toronto Blue Jays vs. Montreal Expos |access-date=May 7, 2007 |publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref> After posting career-worsts in ERA (5.82), [[hits per nine innings]] (11.63) and several other statistics, Smith announced his retirement on July 15.<ref name="BBLib"/> Smith was formally released by the Expos on September 25, 1997.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MON/1997-transactions.shtml |title=1997 Montreal Expos Trades and Transactions |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref>

===Post-playing career===
Despite his retirement announcement, the [[Kansas City Royals]] signed Smith as a free agent<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCR/1998-transactions.shtml |title=1998 Kansas City Royals Trades and Transactions |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref> and invited him to [[spring training]] for 1998. In late March, he refused a minor-league assignment and left training camp.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86164958/lee-smith-departs-kc-camp/ |title=Lee Smith departs K.C. camp |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Sacramento Bee |page=31 |date=March 29, 1998 |access-date=September 28, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In early June, he signed a minor-league deal with the [[Houston Astros]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86164673/astros-sign-career-saves-leader-smith-to/ |title=Astros sign career saves leader Smith to minor league contract |newspaper=The Facts |location=Clute, Texas |page=10 |date=June 8, 1998 |access-date=September 28, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> appearing in two Double-A games with the [[Jackson Generals (Texas League)|Jackson Generals]] and 10 Triple-A games with the [[New Orleans Zephyrs]].<ref name=brm/> After posting an ERA near 7.00 in Triple-A, he was released at the end of June,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86165254/et-cetera/ |title=Et cetera |newspaper=North County Times |location=Escondido, California |page=30 |date=July 1, 1998 |access-date=September 28, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and retired again.<ref name="BBLib"/> Over the course of his career in the major leagues, Smith appeared in 1,022 games, accruing a 71{{endash}}92 win–loss record to go along with his 478 saves. His career ERA was 3.03, and he struck out 1,251 batters.<ref name="br" />

==Post-retirement==
Two years after his retirement in 1998, Smith went to work as a roving minor league pitching instructor for the [[San Francisco Giants]]. Giants director of player personnel, former teammate [[Dick Tidrow]], along with the manager of the Double-A [[Shreveport Captains]], [[Jack Hiatt]], offered the job to Smith, who gladly agreed, since it was in his hometown.<ref name="BostonGlobeCloseUp"/> Smith still held this job with the Giants as of 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070129&content_id=1789245&vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf |title=Giants finalize Minors coaching staffs |access-date=October 13, 2007 |date=January 29, 2007 |publisher=Major League Baseball |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101152645/http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070129&content_id=1789245&vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf |archive-date=November 1, 2007}}</ref>

In the [[2006 World Baseball Classic]], Smith served as the pitching coach of the [[South Africa national baseball team]],<ref name="CSMSA">{{cite web |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0309/p14s02-alsp.html |title=South Africa takes to a new diamond |access-date=August 18, 2006 |date=March 9, 2006 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |last=Bowers |first=Faye}}</ref> which was eliminated in pool play, finishing with an 0–3 record.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scorespro.com/baseball/world/world-baseball-classic/2006/results/ |title=World Baseball Classic 2006 (World): Results |website=scorespro.com |access-date=September 28, 2021}}</ref> In 2007, Smith was a coach in the European Baseball Academy for Major League Baseball International in [[Tirrenia]], Italy.<ref name="MLBI">{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060719&content_id=1564735&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Major League Baseball International to conduct European Baseball Academy July 27-Aug. 18 in Italy |access-date=August 18, 2006 |date=July 19, 2006 |publisher=Major League Baseball}}</ref> For the [[2009 World Baseball Classic]], Smith returned as a coach for South Africa;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mister-baseball.com/final-rosters-2009-world-baseball-classic-unveiled/ |title=Final Rosters for 2009 World Baseball Classic unveiled |website=mister-baseball.com |date=February 25, 2009 |access-date=May 29, 2021}}</ref> the team was again eliminated during pool play, losing both of their games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scorespro.com/baseball/world/world-baseball-classic/2009/results/ |title=World Baseball Classic 2009 (World): Results |website=scorespro.com |access-date=September 28, 2021}}</ref>

Smith has three children from a previous marriage, Nikita, Lee Jr. and Dimitri. From his current marriage, he has additional twins, Alana and Nicholas.<ref name="BostonGlobeCloseUp"/>

==National Baseball Hall of Fame candidacy==
===Background===
In 1995, sportswriter [[Jim Murray (sportswriter)|Jim Murray]] selected Lee Smith as the active player most likely to be elected to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]], describing him as "the best one-inning pitcher the game ever saw", and "the best at smuggling a game into the clubhouse in history."<ref name=Murray/>

Following Smith's retirement, there was speculation on his chances of becoming a member of the Hall of Fame,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86168768/no-relief-from-lack-of-respect/ |title=No Relief From Lack Of Respect |first=Jerry |last=Crasnick |newspaper=The Oklahoman |page=B10 |date=July 26, 1998 |access-date=September 28, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=wisch/><ref name=roscher/> while more generally "debate continues to rage over how to properly value reliever contributions."<ref name=jaffe/> At the time that Smith retired, only [[Hoyt Wilhelm]] and [[Rollie Fingers]] had been inducted to the Hall of Fame primarily for their relief pitching, in 1985 and 1992, respectively.<ref name=jaffe>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2015/12/17/jaws-2016-hall-of-fame-ballot-lee-smith |title=JAWS and the 2016 Hall of Fame ballot: Lee Smith |first=Jeff |last=Jaffe |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=December 17, 2015 |access-date=September 28, 2021}}</ref> During the time Smith appeared on Hall of Fame balloting (2003–2017), the Hall added relievers [[Dennis Eckersley]] (2004), [[Bruce Sutter]] (2006), and [[Goose Gossage]] (2008).<ref name=jaffe/> Eckersley, Fingers, and Sutter each captured a [[Cy Young Award]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/cya.shtml |title=MLB Cy Young Award Winners |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 28, 2021}}</ref> with Eckersley and Fingers also winning [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|MVP]] awards,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/mvp.shtml |title=MLB Most Valuable Player MVP Award Winners |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 28, 2021}}</ref> while Smith fared no better than second in Cy Young Award voting and eighth in MVP voting (both coming in 1991).<ref name=br/> Smith pitched in a transitional era, when closers began to be expected to pitch only a single inning.<ref name=roscher>{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/lee-smith-is-he-a-hall-of-famer-170551495.html |title=Lee Smith: Is he a Hall of Famer? |first=Liz |last=Roscher |website=Big League Stew |via=Yahoo! Sports |date=January 14, 2017 |access-date=September 28, 2021 |quote=That change is really at the crux of Smith's Hall of Fame case, as chunks of his career were spent in both eras of closer deployment.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://baseballfromtheoutside.wordpress.com/2019/04/ |title=Re-Ranking the Hall of Famers: #120 – Lee Smith, RP |website=Baseball From the Outside |date=April 30, 2019 |access-date=September 28, 2021 |quote=Lee Smith was a dominating, imposing reliever that pitched during the transition of multi-inning fireman to one-inning closer.}}</ref> Although Smith and Gossage each pitched in slightly over 1,000 games, Gossage ended his career with over 500 more innings pitched ({{frac|1809|1|3}} to {{frac|1289|1|3}}).<ref name=br/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gossari01.shtml |title=Rich Gossage Stats |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 25, 2021}}</ref> Sutter was the first MLB pitcher elected to the Hall with fewer than 1,700 innings pitched;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_pitching.shtml |title=Hall of Fame Pitching Register |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 28, 2021 |quote=sort by IP}}</ref>{{efn|Several Hall of Fame pitchers who also or primarily played in the [[Negro leagues]]—for which data is incomplete—have innings pitched totals below 1,700, such as [[Satchel Paige]] and [[Leon Day]].}} Smith, who pitched less than 100 innings each season after 1984 and did not exceed 75 innings in any season after 1990, ended his career with fewer than 1,300.<ref name=br/>

In 2005, statistician [[Alan Schwarz]] described Smith as a long shot for election despite the career record, and used [[Retrosheet]] data to compare the saves of several top relievers including Smith, Eckersley, Fingers, Gossage and Sutter. While Smith's save percentage (82%), outs per save (3.72) and average of inherited runners per game (.50) compared well with Eckersley's marks (84%, 3.33, .49), his figures in the last two categories sharply trailed those of the others; Fingers, Gossage and Sutter all averaged between 4.72 and 4.82 outs per save, with Sutter inheriting .67 runners per game and the other two .86, suggesting their saves were harder to achieve.<ref>{{cite news |first=Alan |last=Schwarz |author-link=Alan Schwarz |title=When a Game Saved Was a Game Earned |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/02/sports/baseball/02score.html |work=The New York Times |page=D8 |date=January 2, 2005 |access-date=December 20, 2007}}</ref> Smith started his career earning multiple-inning saves, but the strategy in baseball for closers changed, and he was later used as a one-inning pitcher.<ref>{{cite book |title=Fireman: The Evolution of the Closer in Baseball |first=Fran |last=Zimniuch |pages=[https://archive.org/details/firemanevolution0000zimn/page/227 227, 233] |publisher=Triumph Books |location=Chicago |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-60078-312-8 |ref=zimniuch |url=https://archive.org/details/firemanevolution0000zimn/page/227}}</ref> He had a higher career save percentage than Fingers, Gossage and Sutter.<ref>[[#zimniuch|Zimniuch 2010]], p. 230</ref> Closers [[Trevor Hoffman]] and [[Mariano Rivera]]—elected to the Hall in 2018 and 2019, respectively—exceeded Smith's former record of 478 saves,<ref name=zimniuch_p231>[[#zimniuch|Zimniuch 2010]], p. 231</ref> and the two are now widely considered the best ever one-inning closers.<ref>[[#zimniuch|Zimniuch 2010]], p. 217</ref>

In July 2006, at Sutter's induction to the Hall, Smith talked with reporters about his chances for election, commenting that he was puzzled that he had not yet been selected: "This confuses the hell out of me. But I've always been baffled by it."<ref name=wisch>{{cite news |url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/07/25/wisch-cooperstown-shouldnt-close-out-lee-smith/ |title=Cooperstown Shouldn't Close Out Lee Smith |first=Dave |last=Wischnowsky |publisher=WBBM-TV |date=July 25, 2014 |access-date=September 28, 2021}}</ref><ref name="LeeHoF">{{cite web |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/baseball/cjenkins/20060730-9999-1s30bbcol.html |title=Confused Lee Smith still waiting |access-date=August 19, 2006 |date=July 30, 2006 |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune |last=Jenkins |first=Chris}}</ref>

===BBWAA balloting===
In annual balloting for the Hall of Fame by the [[Baseball Writers' Association of America]] (BBWAA), Smith received a high of 50.6% of votes cast, with 75% being the minimum for induction to the Hall. He appeared on the ballot from 2003 through 2017, never falling below 29.9% of the vote, with 5% being the minimum required each year to continue to appear on the ballot. He was removed from the ballot only when he reached the maximum of 15 appearances—he was the last player to appear on 15 BBWAA ballots, having been [[Grandfather clause|grandfathered]] after a 2014 change limited players to 10 years on the ballot.<ref>{{cite news |last=Snyder |first=Matt |title=Baseball Hall of Fame results: Lee Smith becomes final player to miss out on 15th try |date=January 18, 2017 |website=CBSSports.com |url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/baseball-hall-of-fame-results-lee-smith-becomes-final-player-to-miss-out-on-15th-try/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119064343/http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/baseball-hall-of-fame-results-lee-smith-becomes-final-player-to-miss-out-on-15th-try/ |archive-date=January 19, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Lee Smith giving induction speech to Baseball Hall of Fame July 2019.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.2|Smith (at podium) during his induction to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] in 2019|alt=See caption]]
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align:center; font-size: 100%;"
|+ {{nowrap|National Baseball Hall of Fame balloting history for Lee Smith}}
|-
! rowspan=2|No. || rowspan=2|Year !! colspan=4|Votes !! class=unsortable rowspan=2|Ref. !! class=unsortable rowspan=2|Notes
|-
! Received !! Cast !! Pct. !! data-sort-type=number|±{{nbsp}}%
|-
| 1 || {{bhofy|2003}} || 210 || 496 || {{pct|210|496|1|pad=yes}} || {{sort|0|—}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2003.shtml |title=2003 Hall of Fame Voting |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> || First ballot appearance for Smith
|-
| 2 || {{bhofy|2004}} || 185 || 506 || {{pct|185|506|1|pad=yes}} || {{sort|-5.7|{{decrease}} 5.7}}  ||<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2004.shtml |title=2004 Hall of Fame Voting |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> || [[Dennis Eckersley]] elected (1st year)
|-
| 3 || {{bhofy|2005}} || 200 || 516 || {{pct|200|516|1|pad=yes}} || {{sort|2.2|{{increase}} 2.2}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2005.shtml |title=2005 Hall of Fame Voting |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> ||
|-
| 4 || {{bhofy|2006}} || 234 ||520 || {{pct|234|520|1|pad=yes}} || {{sort|6.2|{{increase}} 6.2}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2006.shtml |title=2006 Hall of Fame Voting |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> || [[Bruce Sutter]] elected (13th year)
|-
| 5 || {{bhofy|2007}} || 217 || 545 || {{pct|217|545|1|pad=yes}} || {{sort|-5.2|{{decrease}} 5.2}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2007.shtml |title=2007 Hall of Fame Voting |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> ||
|-
| 6 || {{bhofy|2008}} || 235 || 543 || {{pct|235|543|1|pad=yes}} || {{sort|3.5|{{increase}} 3.5}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2008.shtml |title=2008 Hall of Fame Voting |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> || [[Goose Gossage]] elected (9th year)
|-
| 7 || {{bhofy|2009}} || 240 || 539 || {{pct|240|539|1|pad=yes}} || {{sort|1.2|{{increase}} 1.2}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2009.shtml |title=2009 Hall of Fame Voting |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> ||
|-
| 8 || {{bhofy|2010}} || 255 || 539 || {{pct|255|539|1|pad=yes}} || {{sort|2.8|{{increase}} 2.8}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2010.shtml |title=2010 Hall of Fame Voting |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> ||
|-
| 9 || {{bhofy|2011}} || 263 || 581 || {{pct|263|581|1|pad=yes}} || {{sort|-2.0|{{decrease}} 2.0}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2011.shtml |title=2011 Hall of Fame Voting |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> ||
|-
| 10 || {{bhofy|2012}} || 290 || 573 || {{pct|290|573|1|pad=yes}} || {{sort|5.3|{{increase}} 5.3}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2012.shtml |title=2012 Hall of Fame Voting |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> || Highest percentage of votes for Smith
|-
| 11 || {{bhofy|2013}} || 272 || 569 || {{pct|272|569|1|pad=yes}} || {{sort|-2.8|{{decrease}} 2.8}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2013.shtml |title=2013 Hall of Fame Voting |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> ||
|-
| 12 || {{bhofy|2014}} || 171 || 571 || {{pct|171|571|1|pad=yes}} || {{sort|-17.9|{{decrease}} 17.9}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2014.shtml |title=2014 Hall of Fame Voting |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> || Lowest percentage of votes for Smith
|-
| 13 || {{bhofy|2015}} || 166 || 549 || {{pct|166|549|1|pad=yes}} || {{sort|0.3|{{increase}} 0.3}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2015.shtml |title=2015 Hall of Fame Voting |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> ||
|-
| 14 || {{bhofy|2016}} || 150 || 440 || {{pct|150|440|1|pad=yes}} || {{sort|3.9|{{increase}} 3.9}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2016.shtml |title=2016 Hall of Fame Voting |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> ||
|-
| 15 || {{bhofy|2017}} || 151 || 442 || {{pct|151|442|1|pad=yes}} || {{sort|0.1|{{increase}} 0.1}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2017.shtml |title=2017 Hall of Fame Voting |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 3, 2021}}</ref> || Final ballot appearance for Smith
|}

===Election===
After not being elected by the BBWAA, Smith was later selected for consideration by the 16-member [[Veterans Committee|Today's Game Committee]] as part of [[2019 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25187499/george-steinbrenner-lou-piniella-davey-johnson-hall-fame-today-era-ballot-next-month |title=George Steinbrenner, Lou Piniella part of 10-man ballot for Today's Game Era committee |publisher=ESPN |date=November 5, 2018 |access-date=November 5, 2018}}</ref> On December 9, 2018, Smith and outfielder [[Harold Baines]] were elected, receiving 16 and 12 votes, respectively, to meet the 75% threshold for induction.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gonzales |first=Mark |title=Cubs pitcher Lee Smith and White Sox outfielder Harold Baines elected to the Hall of Fame |work=Chicago Tribune |date=December 9, 2018 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-lee-smith-white-sox-harold-baines-hall-of-fame-20181209-story.html |access-date=November 8, 2020}}</ref> A formal induction ceremony was held in [[Cooperstown, New York]], on July 21, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78569375/rivera-plays-closer-role-again-at-the-ba/ |title=Rivera plays closer role again at the Baseball HOF induction |first=John |last=Kekis |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |page=B5 |date=July 22, 2019 |access-date=May 29, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Along with Smith and Baines, the Hall inducted BBWAA-electees [[Roy Halladay]], [[Edgar Martínez]], [[Mike Mussina]], and [[Mariano Rivera]].<ref name=induct/> Smith acknowledged his hometown during his speech, saying, "It wasn't just my arm that got me here. It's the whole community of Castor. I thank you."<ref name=induct>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86171269/forever-immortals/ |title=Forever Immortals |newspaper=Star Tribune |location=Minneapolis, Minnesota |page=C2 |date=July 22, 2019 |access-date=September 28, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball leaders in games finished]]
* [[Major League Baseball titles leaders]]
* [[List of St. Louis Cardinals team records]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}

* {{Sports links}}
:

{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|ach}}
{{succession box |before=[[Jeff Reardon]] |title=[[Save (baseball)|All-Time Saves Leader]] |years=1993–2005 |after=[[Trevor Hoffman]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Baseball Hall of Fame members}}
{{2019 Baseball HOF}}
{{Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame}}
{{Chicago Cubs HOF}}
{{New York Yankees HOF}}
{{NL Relief Man Award Winners}}
{{AL Relief Man Award Winners}}
{{NL saves champions}}
{{AL saves champions}}
{{300 saves club}}
{{South Africa 2006 World Baseball Classic roster}}
{{South Africa 2009 World Baseball Classic roster}}

{{Portal bar|Baseball}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Lee}}
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