Jimmy Smith (baseball)

For other people of the same name, see Jimmy Smith.
For other people named Bluejacket, see Bluejacket (disambiguation).

James Lawrence "Jimmy" Smith (born May 15, 1895 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – January 1, 1974) was a Major League Baseball infielder often referred to as "Greenfield Jimmy" or "Bluejacket". He was a switch hitter and threw right-handed. His major league debut came on September 26, 1914 with the Chicago Whales.[1] In 1919, he won a World Series ring with the Cincinnati Reds, and went on to play his final game with the Phillies on September 3, 1922. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Biography

During prohibition Smith would smuggle bootlegged alcohol from various cities into his Greenfield neighborhood.[2]

Smith was the father-in-law of World Light-Heavyweight Champion Billy Conn.[3]

Smith had four children: Mary Louise, Jimmy Jr., Nora and Tommy. Jimmy Jr. played baseball for the University of Pennsylvania, and some professional baseball in the minor leagues with the Gladewater Bears, a part of the Texas League. Jimmy Jr. had a son, Jimmy Smith III, who was an All-Ivy League football player at the University of Pennsylvania. Jimmy Smith III signed a contract to play with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1983, but was released after a knee injury. [4]

External links

References

  1. ^ Baseball Reference
  2. ^ Kulina, Anita. Millhunks and Renegades: A Portrait of a Pittsburgh Neighborhood. Brandt Street Press, January 1, 2003. Retrieved July 28, 2007.
  3. ^ Billy Conn Official.[1] Retrieved Feb. 20, 2007.
  4. ^ https://www.nmnathletics.com//pdf5/630340.pdf?&ATCLID=1573726&SPSID=60663&SPID=537&DB_OEM_ID=1700