Homer Smoot
Encyclopedia
Homer Vernon Smoot nicknamed "Doc," was an American
professional baseball
. He played all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball
, for the St. Louis Cardinals
and Cincinnati Reds
, from 1902 until 1906, primarily as a center fielder
. He threw right-handed but batted left-handed.
Born in Galestown, Maryland
, Smoot was the eldest of three children. He was born to Luke Smoot and Rebecca Wheatley-Smoot. He attended elementary school with Geneva Gordy, who became his wife in 1901. He attended prep school at Wesley Collegiate Academy in Dover, Delaware
. He and his wife Geneva had five children-two boys and three girls.
Smoot attended Washington College
in Chestertown, Maryland
, where he played both football and baseball. While playing college baseball, he also played semi-professional baseball for multiple teams.
He signed his first professional contract in 1900, with the Allentown Peanuts
of the Atlantic League. After the Atlantic League folded shortly after his signing, he signed with the Worcester Farmers
of the Eastern League
. He played the rest of the season with the Farmers, except for a ten day period in which he played for the Providence Clamdiggers.
He again played for Worcester in 1901, hitting .356. Following that season, he was signed by the Cardinals. He made his major league debut on April 17, 1902 at the age of 24. Smoot and teammate George Barclay
were the team's power hitters in 1902, hitting three home run
s each, combining for six of the team's ten home runs. According to the Society for American Baseball Research
, Smoot was the best rookie in 1902. Smoot is also one of the few players to hit two inside-the-park home run
s in a single game, which he did on April 25.
Although 1903 was not nearly as successful for Smoot as 1902 was, he was still the team's main power hitter, belting four of the team's eight home runs. He also hit a fine .296 that season.
In 1904, Smoot's batting average
dropped to .281, but he also had career highs of 23 doubles
and 66 runs batted in
. His 23 stolen base
s and 37 walks
were also career highs. He was not the team leader in home runs in 1904-in fact, his three home runs trailed behind two players, Dave Brain
(seven) and Mike Grady
(five).
1905 was perhaps Smoot's best season. Not only did he tie his career high in home runs with four (which tied with Grady for the team lead), he also had career highs in runs
(73) and triples
(16). His .311 average, which also tied a career high, led the team and was seventh highest in the league.
1906 saw Smoot's career take a rapid turn for the worst. He started the season with the Cardinals, hitting only .248 with them. That prompted a midseason trade with the Reds, who sent Shad Barry
in return for Smoot. Although his average rose while with the Reds-he hit .259 with them-that could not save his season or his career. After hitting only .252 combined that season, his major league career was over. He played his final major league game on October 7. After the 1906 season, his contract was sold to the Toledo Mud Hens
of the American Association
.
Multiple explanations have been posed to explain the quick decline in production and from Smoot, and the quick end to his career. One claim is his eyesight became poor, although his obituary says his eyesight remained "undimmed". His obituary says he was slowed by muscular rheumatism. Luck may have also played a factor, and Smoot was just unlucky and didn't get the chance to play in the majors again.
Smoot played three years with Toledo, hitting .312 in 1907, .301 in 1908 and .270 in 1909. He played with the Louisville Colonels
and Kansas City Blues
-both in the American Association-in 1910, hitting .236 combined.
He started 1911 with the Blues, hitting .379 with them before his contract was sold to the Wilkes-Barre Barons
of the New York State League
. He won his only pro pennant in 1911.
He was an assistant manager and weekend player in 1912 for Wilkes-Barre, but the rheumatism
got so bad he had to call his playing days quits.
After his playing days, he became head coach at Washington College for a year. He spent ten years as a chicken farmer and operating a feed business before getting the chance to be involved in professional sports again. In 1925, he was manager of the Salisbury Indians
of the Eastern Shore Baseball League
. After only one year there, he returned to his feed business.
His son, Roger Smoot, signed a professional contract with the Cardinals in 1927. He died at age 50 in Salisbury, Maryland
from spinal meningitis. He was inducted into Washington College's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992.
Smoot is the only player ever to have at least 500 at-bats in a season while playing in as many as five seasons. A .953 fielder, he hit .290 with 15 home runs and 269 RBI in his career.
He is now buried in Galestown Cemetery
in Galestown, Maryland
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
. He played all or part of five seasons in 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...
, for the St. Louis Cardinals
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 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....
, from 1902 until 1906, primarily as a center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
. He threw right-handed but batted left-handed.
Born in Galestown, Maryland
Galestown, Maryland
Galestown is a town in Dorchester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 101 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Galestown is located at ....
, Smoot was the eldest of three children. He was born to Luke Smoot and Rebecca Wheatley-Smoot. He attended elementary school with Geneva Gordy, who became his wife in 1901. He attended prep school at Wesley Collegiate Academy in Dover, Delaware
Dover, Delaware
The city of Dover is the capital and second largest city in the U.S. state of Delaware. It is also the county seat of Kent County, and the principal city of the Dover, Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Kent County. It is located on the St. Jones River in the Delaware...
. He and his wife Geneva had five children-two boys and three girls.
Smoot attended Washington College
Washington College
Washington College is a private, independent liberal arts college located on a campus in Chestertown, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore. Maryland granted Washington College its charter in 1782...
in Chestertown, Maryland
Chestertown, Maryland
Chestertown is a town in Kent County, Maryland, United States. The population was 4,746 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Kent County. The ZIP code is 21620 and the area codes are 410 and 443...
, where he played both football and baseball. While playing college baseball, he also played semi-professional baseball for multiple teams.
He signed his first professional contract in 1900, with the Allentown Peanuts
Allentown Peanuts
Alentown Peanuts refers to two baseball teams: one that played in the Central League in 1888, and another that played in the Atlantic League from 1898 to 1900. They were based in Allentown, Pennsylvania and had no big league affiliations....
of the Atlantic League. After the Atlantic League folded shortly after his signing, he signed with the Worcester Farmers
Worcester Farmers
The Worcester Farmers were a minor league baseball team that played from 1899 to 1900 in the Eastern League. Under manager Frank Leonard in 1899, they went 58-51, and in 1900 they went 62-63....
of the Eastern League
Eastern League (U.S. baseball)
The Eastern League is a minor league baseball league which operates primarily in the northeastern United States, although it has had a team in Ohio since 1989. The Eastern League has played at the AA level since 1963. The league was founded in 1923 as the New York-Pennsylvania League...
. He played the rest of the season with the Farmers, except for a ten day period in which he played for the Providence Clamdiggers.
He again played for Worcester in 1901, hitting .356. Following that season, he was signed by the Cardinals. He made his major league debut on April 17, 1902 at the age of 24. Smoot and teammate George Barclay
George Barclay (baseball)
George Oliver Barclay was an American football and baseball player. He played Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals and later the Boston Beaneaters. He was also an early professional football player-coach for the Greensburg Athletic Association. He was nicknamed "The Rose" for his...
were the team's power hitters in 1902, hitting three home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s each, combining for six of the team's ten home runs. According to the Society for American Baseball Research
Society for American Baseball Research
The Society for American Baseball Research was established in Cooperstown, New York, in August 1971 by Bob Davids of Washington, D.C. The Society's mission is to foster the research and dissemination of the history and record of baseball, while generating interest in the game...
, Smoot was the best rookie in 1902. Smoot is also one of the few players to hit two inside-the-park home run
Inside-the-park home run
In baseball parlance, an inside-the-park home run, "leg home run", or "quadruple", is a play where a batter hits a home run without hitting the ball out of play.-Discussion:...
s in a single game, which he did on April 25.
Although 1903 was not nearly as successful for Smoot as 1902 was, he was still the team's main power hitter, belting four of the team's eight home runs. He also hit a fine .296 that season.
In 1904, Smoot's batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
dropped to .281, but he also had career highs of 23 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and 66 runs batted in
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
. His 23 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s and 37 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
were also career highs. He was not the team leader in home runs in 1904-in fact, his three home runs trailed behind two players, Dave Brain
Dave Brain
David Leonard "Dave" Brain was an infielder/outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago White Sox , St. Louis Cardinals , Pittsburgh Pirates , Boston Beaneaters & Doves , Cincinnati Reds and New York Giants . Brain batted and threw right-handed...
(seven) and Mike Grady
Mike Grady (baseball)
Michael William Grady , was a professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues from 1894-1906. He would play for the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Giants, Washington Senators, and St...
(five).
1905 was perhaps Smoot's best season. Not only did he tie his career high in home runs with four (which tied with Grady for the team lead), he also had career highs in runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
(73) and triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
(16). His .311 average, which also tied a career high, led the team and was seventh highest in the league.
1906 saw Smoot's career take a rapid turn for the worst. He started the season with the Cardinals, hitting only .248 with them. That prompted a midseason trade with the Reds, who sent Shad Barry
Shad Barry
John C. "Shad" Barry was a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman. He was born in Newburgh, New York. Barry attended Niagara University....
in return for Smoot. Although his average rose while with the Reds-he hit .259 with them-that could not save his season or his career. After hitting only .252 combined that season, his major league career was over. He played his final major league game on October 7. After the 1906 season, his contract was sold to the Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
.
Multiple explanations have been posed to explain the quick decline in production and from Smoot, and the quick end to his career. One claim is his eyesight became poor, although his obituary says his eyesight remained "undimmed". His obituary says he was slowed by muscular rheumatism. Luck may have also played a factor, and Smoot was just unlucky and didn't get the chance to play in the majors again.
Smoot played three years with Toledo, hitting .312 in 1907, .301 in 1908 and .270 in 1909. He played with the Louisville Colonels
Louisville Colonels (minor league baseball team)
The Louisville Colonels was the name of several minor league baseball teams that played in Louisville, Kentucky, in the 20th century. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels.-Twentieth century minor league teams:...
and Kansas City Blues
Kansas City Blues (American Association)
The Kansas City Blues are a former minor league baseball team located in Kansas City, Missouri, in the Midwestern United States. The team was one of the eight founding members of the American Association....
-both in the American Association-in 1910, hitting .236 combined.
He started 1911 with the Blues, hitting .379 with them before his contract was sold to the Wilkes-Barre Barons
Wilkes-Barre Barons (baseball)
The Wilkes-Barre Barons were a minor league team that existed on and off from 1888 to 1955. They began in the Central League in 1888, but the league disbanded after that season. Their next incarnation came about in 1905, when they began playing in the New York State League. They played in that...
of the New York State League
New York State League
This article refers to the modern New York State League. For the original incarnations of the New York State League see New York State League ...
. He won his only pro pennant in 1911.
He was an assistant manager and weekend player in 1912 for Wilkes-Barre, but the rheumatism
Rheumatism
Rheumatism or rheumatic disorder is a non-specific term for medical problems affecting the joints and connective tissue. The study of, and therapeutic interventions in, such disorders is called rheumatology.-Terminology:...
got so bad he had to call his playing days quits.
After his playing days, he became head coach at Washington College for a year. He spent ten years as a chicken farmer and operating a feed business before getting the chance to be involved in professional sports again. In 1925, he was manager of the Salisbury Indians
Salisbury Indians
The Salisbury Indians were a United States minor league baseball team which played in Salisbury, Maryland. The team began operation in 1922 as a founding member of the Eastern Shore Baseball League, which operated out of cities on the Delmarva Peninsula....
of the Eastern Shore Baseball League
Eastern Shore Baseball League
The Eastern Shore Baseball League was a Class D minor league baseball league that operated on the Delmarva Peninsula for parts of three different decades. The league's first season was in 1922 and the last was in 1949, although the years were not consecutive, and featured teams from Maryland,...
. After only one year there, he returned to his feed business.
His son, Roger Smoot, signed a professional contract with the Cardinals in 1927. He died at age 50 in Salisbury, Maryland
Salisbury, Maryland
-Demographics:Salisbury is the principal city of the Salisbury-Ocean Pines CSA, a Combined Statistical Area that includes the Salisbury metropolitan area and the Ocean Pines micropolitan area , which had a combined population of 176,657 at the 2010 census.As of the census of 2000, there were...
from spinal meningitis. He was inducted into Washington College's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992.
Smoot is the only player ever to have at least 500 at-bats in a season while playing in as many as five seasons. A .953 fielder, he hit .290 with 15 home runs and 269 RBI in his career.
He is now buried in Galestown Cemetery
Galestown Cemetery
Galestown Cemetery is a cemetery located in Galestown, Maryland. One person of note interred there is Homer Smoot, a one-time professional baseball player....
in Galestown, Maryland
Galestown, Maryland
Galestown is a town in Dorchester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 101 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Galestown is located at ....
.