According to ESPN.com, the number of current players named Rodriguez and Gonzales is now higher than the number of Smiths in Major League Baseball. That statistic reflects not only the influx of Latin Americans in the country’s pastime, but also in the United States in general.
Smith is not likely to disappear completely, as there are still more than a half a dozen players with that surname in the big leagues right now. Mallex Smith made his debut in the Atlanta outfield last season, as did rookies Jake and Blake Smith with other teams. Carson, Josh, Kevan and Will are also Smiths who have already been in the Majors for several years.
One current player has enough experience to make what could be called a roster of Smiths, which would look something like the following team.
First Base, Reggie
Mainly an outfielder who helped both the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers to pennants, Smith did occasionally fill in at first base.
Second Base, Billy
This Smith patrolled the middle infield for the Baltimore Orioles who were pennant winners in 1979, coming up just one win short of beating the Pittsburgh Pirates in a classic World Series matchup.
Shortstop, Ozzie
Affectionately known as “The Wizard”, this Hall of Fame Gold Glove legend helped St. Louis to the World Series championship in 1982.
Third Base, Al
“Fuzzy” had a twelve year career that included an All-Star season with Cleveland in 1955, when he led the league in runs scored, and again with Chicago in 1960.
Left Field, Dwight
He was a regular in the lineup of the Chicago Cubs for many years, and now son Dwight, Jr. is on the verge of reaching the Majors.
Center Field, Seth
Now a regular for the Seattle Mariners, he is the only current player to make the All-Smith roster.
Right Field, Lonnie
He played for several teams, but he is most often associated with helping the Atlanta Braves to win the 1991 pennant.
Catcher, Hal
Five different teams used his services during his ten year career, when he averaged eleven homers and sixty runs batted while hitting at a.261 clip.
Starting Pitcher, Bryn
The right hander carved out a respectable career, most of which was spent with the Montreal Expos.
Starting Pitcher, Zane
Atlanta was the primary home of this left hander, who won a hundred games in his career.
Starting Pitcher, Pete
This Smith hurler was a part of an Atlanta rotation that featured Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, crucial parts of a team that won a string of six straight division titles.
Relief Pitcher, Dave
Although he was a fantastic closer in his own right as a member of the Houston Astros, he would have to settle for a set up role on this team because of the Hall of Famer who would follow him out of the bullpen.
Closer, Lee
The big flame thrower earned a plaque in Cooperstown primarily because of the success he enjoyed as a Cub in Chicago.
Manager, Mayo
The skipper for the Smiths would have to be the man who led the Detroit Tigers to a World Series championship in 1968,
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