Paul Smith (smithpa03)
From BR Bullpen
Paul Leslie Smith
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 5' 8", Weight 165 lb.
[edit] Biographical Information
Paul Smith came up in 1953 to play first base for the 1953 Pittsburgh Pirates. He had 74 games at the position and hit .283 for the year, while Preston Ward, three years older, had 78 games at the position and hit .210 for the year. However, Ward kept the job in 1954 while Smith didn't come back to the majors until 1957, when he served as a back-up outfielder for the Pirates.
One source claims Smith suffered a concussion in early 1954 and was sent to Havana in the International League because of it, while a different source says he was sent to Havana because the Pirates were afraid Smith would be drafted.
By 1957, most of the Pirates from 1953 were gone, although Frank Thomas was still there.
In the minors, Paul played for Havana and Minneapolis.
