Jimmy Smith (baseball player)
Encyclopedia
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
. 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.
neighborhood.
Smith was the father-in-law of World Light-Heavyweight Champion Billy Conn
.
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.
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...
– January 1, 1974) was a Major League Baseball infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
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
Chicago Whales
The Chicago Whales were a professional baseball team based in Chicago. They played in the Federal League, a short-lived "third Major League", in 1914 and 1915. They originally lacked a formal nickname, and were known simply as the "Chicago Federals" to distinguish them from the Chicago Cubs and...
. In 1919, he won a World Series ring with 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....
, 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 GreenfieldGreenfield (Pittsburgh)
Greenfield is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It is represented on by Doug Shields.Greenfield is a member of Pittsburgh's 15th Ward, which includes the neighborhoods of Greenfield and Four Mile Run. Greenfield is adjacent to the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Hazelwood to...
neighborhood.
Smith was the father-in-law of World Light-Heavyweight Champion Billy Conn
Billy Conn
William David Conn , better known as Billy Conn, was an American Light-Heavyweight boxing champion famed for his fights with Joe Louis. He had a professional boxing record of 63 wins, 11 losses and 1 draw, with 14 wins by knockout...
.
Smith had four children: Mary Louise, Jimmy Jr., Nora and Tommy. Jimmy Jr. played baseball for the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, and some professional baseball in the minor leagues with the Gladewater Bears, a part of the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
. 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
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
in 1983, but was released after a knee injury.