John Smith (smithjo01)

John W. Smith

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown

• Debut April 14, 1873
• Final Game May 21, 1875
• Born 1851 in Baltimore, MD USA
• Died January 6, 1921 in Baltimore, MD USA

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Biographical Information

John Smith played three years in the National Association. As a result, he is the player named "John Smith" with the most seasons as a major leaguer. While there are several major leaguers born with the name "John Smith", there are only three remembered formally with that name, and this John Smith is the only one of the three to play more than one season.

Smith was a player on teams that finished well under .500. In his first season in 1873, he played in 5 of the 6 games of the Baltimore Marylands, who finished 0-6. He was the brother of Bill Smith who was the team's player manager In 1874 the Baltimore Canaries went 9-38 (he appeared in 6 games) and in 1875 the New Haven Elm Citys went 7-40, with Smith in one game.

In addition to his brother, his father William J. Smith represented the Marylands at the National Association annual meetings in 1873 and 1874, and his nephew, Harry Smith was a major league catcher.

Further Reading

• "The Smith Brothers", in Bill Carle, ed.: Biographical Research Committee Report, SABR, March/April 2026, p. 1.