Major League Baseball Player. Willie 'Wonderful Willie' Smith was one of the few natives from Anniston, Alabama, to make the major leagues. As a young man, he honed his skills, eventually developing into an excellent, multitalented ballplayer who was able play first base, outfield and pitch. Smith played for 5 teams over his 9 year career, becoming the only black player in MLB history to appear in at least 20 games as a pitcher and 20 as a fielder. Smith played in the Negro Leagues before signing with the Detroit Tigers before the 1960 season. He had a short 17 game stint with the parent club in 1963. Traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Los Angeles Angels for Julio Navarro on April 28, 1964, it was in LA that he experienced his best season as he batted .301 in 118 games in 1964. He appeared in a career high 136 games in 1965, after which, he was used in a utility role to utilize his skills. He became a valuable commodity due to his flexibility. After spending time with Cleveland, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in June of 1968 for Lou Johnson. The next year he appeared in 103 games and batted .246, appearing in the outfield and 1st base. He finished out his career with the Cincinnati reds in 1971. Smith later worked for the City of Oxford, AL and also was an instructor at youth baseball camps. He was a highly regarded person and player who was well respected and liked by his teammates. On his death, his former teammate on the Cubs, Don Kessinger said: "I really thought the world of Willie Smith, Willie was an exceptional hitter. But he also was an exceptional teammate."
Major League Baseball Player. Willie 'Wonderful Willie' Smith was one of the few natives from Anniston, Alabama, to make the major leagues. As a young man, he honed his skills, eventually developing into an excellent, multitalented ballplayer who was able play first base, outfield and pitch. Smith played for 5 teams over his 9 year career, becoming the only black player in MLB history to appear in at least 20 games as a pitcher and 20 as a fielder. Smith played in the Negro Leagues before signing with the Detroit Tigers before the 1960 season. He had a short 17 game stint with the parent club in 1963. Traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Los Angeles Angels for Julio Navarro on April 28, 1964, it was in LA that he experienced his best season as he batted .301 in 118 games in 1964. He appeared in a career high 136 games in 1965, after which, he was used in a utility role to utilize his skills. He became a valuable commodity due to his flexibility. After spending time with Cleveland, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in June of 1968 for Lou Johnson. The next year he appeared in 103 games and batted .246, appearing in the outfield and 1st base. He finished out his career with the Cincinnati reds in 1971. Smith later worked for the City of Oxford, AL and also was an instructor at youth baseball camps. He was a highly regarded person and player who was well respected and liked by his teammates. On his death, his former teammate on the Cubs, Don Kessinger said: "I really thought the world of Willie Smith, Willie was an exceptional hitter. But he also was an exceptional teammate."
Bio by: Frank Russo
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