Harry Smith (smithha06)

James Harry Smith

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 180 lb.

• Debut September 21, 1914
• Final Game June 23, 1918
• Born May 15, 1890 in Baltimore, MD USA
• Died April 1, 1922 in Charlotte, NC USA

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Biographical Information

Harry Smith played four seasons in the majors, primarily as a catcher, getting 148 at-bats.

Smith was born in Baltimore, MD and by age 22 was playing pro ball in the New England League. He came up to the majors originally with John McGraw's New York Giants in 1914 and hit .429 in five games. 33-year-old Jack Meyers was the regular catcher that year for the Giants.

Smith played in 21 more games for the Giants in 1915 and jumped to the Federal League later that year, where he appeared in 28 games.

In 1917 he hit .334 for the Fort Wayne Chiefs, and came back to the majors with the Cincinnati Reds. He also appeared in 13 games with the Reds in 1918. The Reds in 1917 and most of 1918 were managed by Christy Mathewson, who had been a pitcher with the Giants in 1914-15.

Harry played for Akron, Reading and Newark after his major league days.

He came from a prominent baseball family in Baltimore. His father Bill Smith and his uncle John Smith both played in the National Association in the 1870s. His father also managed the Baltimore Marylands and his grandfather, William J. Smith was an executive with the team, representing them at league meetings. Harry died of pneumonia in 1922.

Smith is, as of 2009, the last of four major leaguers named Harry Smith.