Roy Smalley (NL baseball player)

Roy Frederick Smalley, Jr. (born June 9, 1926 in Springfield, Missouri) is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball. From 1948 through 1958, Smalley played for the Chicago Cubs (1948-1953), Milwaukee Braves (1954) and Philadelphia Phillies (1955-1958). He batted and threw right handed. His son Roy III also is a former shortstop who played in the American League (1975-1987).

In an 11-season career, Smalley was a .227 hitter with 61 home runs and 305 RBI in 872 games played.

[edit] Best season

In 1950, posted career highs in home runs (21), RBI (85), runs (58), hits (128) and doubles (21), including a hitting for the cycle game on June 28. Some sources claim he was error-prone and that he led the National League in shortstop errors each year with the Cubs, but he also led NL shortstop in total chances per game in 1949 and 1950 and in putouts, assists and double plays in 1950. He hit 21 home runs in 1950 while striking out a league-leading 114 times. He married teammate Gene Mauch's sister. His trade to Milwaukee (then the Braves) opened the door for Ernie Banks to become the Cubs' shortstop.