Germany Smith
Encyclopedia
George J. "Germany" Smith (April 21, 1863 – December 1, 1927) was an American
Major League Baseball
player from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
. He played primarily shortstop
for five different teams spanning 15 seasons. He made his major league debut for Altoona Mountain City of the Union Association
in . After Altoona's team folded after just 25 games, he jumped to the Cleveland Blues
of the National League
. After the 1884 season, Cleveland then sold him, along with 6 other players, to the Brooklyn Bridegrooms
for $4000.
On June 17, , Germany reportedly committed seven errors intentionally, when his team decided to punish new pitcher
, Phenomenal Smith
, losing the game 18-5. All 18 runs against the brash left-hander were unearned‚ due to a total of 14 Brooklyn "errors". "Phenomenal" gave himself his nickname before he joined the team‚ saying that he was so good that he didn't need his teammates to win. The intentional misplays of his teammates caused club President Lynch to fine the guilty players $500 each‚ but he reluctantly agrees to release Smith to ensure team harmony.
A reliable shortstop in the days when a fielding average below .900 could lead the league, he did, in fact, lead the American Association
in , with an .886 average. When the AA folded in , he, along with most members of the team transferred to the National League's new Brooklyn franchise. In John Montgomery Ward
took over as manager
and shortstop, effectively ending Smith's career with Brooklyn, so he left and joined the Cincinnati Reds
. There he led NL shortstops in assists
each year from 1891 to . Smith later returned in , when Cincinnati and Brooklyn swapped
shortstops, with Tommy Corcoran moving to the Reds.
His major league career came to end after the 1898 season, when he played just 51 games for the St. Louis Browns
, and moved on to play for the Minneapolis Millers
of the Northwestern League
for the 1899 and 1900 seasons.
Smith died at the age of 64 in Altoona, Pennsylvania
from injuries when struck by an automobile, and is interred at Calvary Cemetery in Altoona.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
. He played primarily shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
for five different teams spanning 15 seasons. He made his major league debut for Altoona Mountain City of the Union Association
Union Association
The Union Association was a league in Major League Baseball which lasted for only one season in 1884. St. Louis won the pennant and joined the National League the following season...
in . After Altoona's team folded after just 25 games, he jumped to the Cleveland Blues
Cleveland Blues (NL)
The Cleveland Blues were a Major League Baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio that operated in the National League from 1879 to 1884. In six seasons their best finish was third place in 1880. Hugh Daily threw a no-hitter for the Blues on Sept. 13, 1883. Besides Daily, notable Blues players...
of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
. After the 1884 season, Cleveland then sold him, along with 6 other players, to the Brooklyn Bridegrooms
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
for $4000.
On June 17, , Germany reportedly committed seven errors intentionally, when his team decided to punish new pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, Phenomenal Smith
Phenomenal Smith
John Francis "Phenomenal" Smith, Born as John Francis Gammon, was an American Major League Baseball player from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who pitched for six different teams during his eight year career....
, losing the game 18-5. All 18 runs against the brash left-hander were unearned‚ due to a total of 14 Brooklyn "errors". "Phenomenal" gave himself his nickname before he joined the team‚ saying that he was so good that he didn't need his teammates to win. The intentional misplays of his teammates caused club President Lynch to fine the guilty players $500 each‚ but he reluctantly agrees to release Smith to ensure team harmony.
A reliable shortstop in the days when a fielding average below .900 could lead the league, he did, in fact, lead the American Association
American Association (19th century)
The American Association was a Major League Baseball league that existed for 10 seasons from to . During that time, it challenged the National League for dominance of professional baseball...
in , with an .886 average. When the AA folded in , he, along with most members of the team transferred to the National League's new Brooklyn franchise. In John Montgomery Ward
John Montgomery Ward
John Montgomery Ward , known as Monte Ward, was an American Major League Baseball pitcher, shortstop and manager. Ward was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Renovo, Pennsylvania...
took over as manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
and shortstop, effectively ending Smith's career with Brooklyn, so he left and joined the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. There he led NL shortstops in assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
each year from 1891 to . Smith later returned in , when Cincinnati and Brooklyn swapped
Trade
Trade is the transfer of ownership of goods and services from one person or entity to another. Trade is sometimes loosely called commerce or financial transaction or barter. A network that allows trade is called a market. The original form of trade was barter, the direct exchange of goods and...
shortstops, with Tommy Corcoran moving to the Reds.
His major league career came to end after the 1898 season, when he played just 51 games for the St. Louis Browns
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, and moved on to play for the Minneapolis Millers
Minneapolis Millers
The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League.The team played first in Athletic Park and later Nicollet Park.The name Minneapolis...
of the Northwestern League
Northwestern League
The Northwestern League was a minor league baseball league that operated from 1883–1884, and again from 1886-1887. It was founded by Elias Matter in 1883.-1883-1884:...
for the 1899 and 1900 seasons.
Smith died at the age of 64 in Altoona, Pennsylvania
Altoona, Pennsylvania
-History:A major railroad town, Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849 as the site for a shop complex. Altoona was incorporated as a borough on February 6, 1854, and as a city under legislation approved on April 3, 1867, and February 8, 1868...
from injuries when struck by an automobile, and is interred at Calvary Cemetery in Altoona.