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#1
08-05-2023, 11:38 AM
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The Underappeciated Reggie Smith
One player whose name never comes up in talk about the Hall of Fame is Reggie Smith. His numbers were deceptively good — he had a career .855 OPS, which is way better than a bunch of outfielders in Cooperstown — including his far more famous teammate, Carl Yastrzemski, and he did it during an era when pitchers were dominating. He had a better career WAR than Dave Winfield or Shoeless Joe Jackson, and a better career OPS plus than Al Kaline or Roberto Clemente.
Would you rather have Reggie on your team instead of Lloyd Waner, Harold Baines, Ross Youngs, Tommy McCarthy or Richie Ashburn? When the Dodgers played the Yankees in the World Series in 1977, myself and a friend made a big banner and paraded around Dodger Stadium with it. It read: "Reggie Jackson is a Candy Bar, but Reggie Smith is a Superstar." The fans loved it, but it didn't help the Dodgers, who were wiped out by the Bronx Bombers. 
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#2
08-05-2023, 12:53 PM
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Couldn't agree with you more. Reggie Smith never gets mentioned as potential Hall of Famer. He was one of the best hitters of his day, was a 7x All Star, won a Gold Glove, and won a World Series.
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#3
08-05-2023, 12:59 PM
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Similar WAR to Dwight Evans who seems to get more mentions in those discussions of overlooked players.
__________________
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#4
08-06-2023, 04:51 AM
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Bill Lee had some interesting stuff about the Smith/Yaz relationship in his book The Wrong Stuff. Lee said Smith idolized Yaz and played his career in Yaz’s shadow. I get the feeling Lee wasn’t a huge Reggie fan.
Anyway Smith was a fine and definitely under appreciated player. His early cards are nice too. Supposedly one time during a rain delay Smith and Yaz had a throwing contest. From the edge of the dugout Smith threw the ball over the green monster as well as the screen above it. Supposedly an insane throw. But then Smith hurt his arm because of it and missed time after that. Then again I might have the second part of that story wrong in which case someone correct me.
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#5
08-07-2023, 06:19 PM
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I love Smith's 77 Topps card. Only thing to make it better would have been a blue All-Star banner across the bottom. Then it would have paired well with the Staub.
He'd get that banner finally in 1981, still a decent looking card itself. Back when it was easier to just enjoy a base card for what they were.
__________________
Looking for: Unique Steve Garvey items, select Dodgers Postcards & Team Issue photos
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