Cubs & Cards legend Lee Smith to visit Peoria
Smith nailed down a then-record 478 saves during his 18 year Major League career that began in a Cubs uniform in 1980 and ended with the Montreal Expos in 1997. The Louisiana native was drafted by the Cubs in the 2nd round of the 1975 draft and made his debut September 1, 1980. Smith recorded his first save during the strike-shortened 1981 season and then racked up 17 more in 1982. After posting a 1.65 ERA with 29 saves in 1983, Smith helped the Cubs to the 1984 N.L. Eastern Division title with 33 saves and nine wins. He earned at least 30 saves in each of the next three seasons in Chicago before being traded to the Boston Red Sox on December 8, 1987 in exchange for Calvin Schiraldi and Al Nipper.
Smith spent two full seasons in Boston going 10-6 with 54 saves in 128 appearances. After going 2-1 with four saves in his first 11 appearances of the 1990 season, Smith was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on May 4, 1990 for Tom Brunansky. Smith had his best seasons with the Cardinals saving a career-high 47 games in 1991, 43 in 1992 and 43 in 1993. Overall he went 15-20 with 160 saves in St. Louis while winning the 1991 and 1992 N.L. Rolaids Relief Pitcher of the Year Awards. He also finished in the top second in the 1991 N.L. Cy Young award voting and fourth in 1992.
The seven-time All-Star was traded from St. Louis to the New York Yankees on August 31, 1993 for Rich Batchelor. He made just eight appearances in New York with three saves before entering free agency after the 1993 season. He signed with the Baltimore Orioles in January 1994 and saved 33 games with a 3.29 ERA in the strike-shortened season. Smith signed with the Anaheim Angels for the 1995 campaign and went 0-5 with 37 saves in 52 games. He began the 1996 season with the Angels but had not recorded a save in 11 games when he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Chuck McElroy on May 27, 1996. He saved two games for the Reds while going 3-4 in 43 games. Smith signed with the Montreal Expos in January 1997 and finished his career by going 0-1 with five saves in 25 appearances.
For his career, Smith went 71-92 with 478 saves and a 3.03 ERA in 1022 appearances. He struck out 1,251 batters and walked 486 over 1,289 1/3 innings. Smith was chosen as an All-Star seven times (1983, 87, 91, 92, 93, 94 and 95) and finished in the top 10 of Cy Young voting four times (1983, 91, 92 and 94). He was also named the Rolaids Relief pitcher of the year three times (1991, 92 and 94). Smith led the league in saves four times and is currently third on the career saves list behind Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera. Smith also holds the MLB career record for most games finished with 802 and is ninth on the games pitched list.
Smith's name first appeared on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot in 2003 as he received 42.3 percent of the votes with 75 percent needed for induction. In the five ballots since, Smith has received between 36 & 45 percent each year. Last January he was named on 43.3 percent of the ballots and finished fifth in voting.
June 20 is the 7th annual IPMR Night, and past featured guests have included Whitey Herzog (2003), Hall of Famer Lou Brock (2004), Hall of Famer and former Chiefs Manager Ryne Sandberg (2005), Steve Stone (2006), Cubs legend and radio announcer Ron Santo (2007) and Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter (2008). IPMR facilities are located all over the country, including Peoria, to help rehabbing patients that have suffered from serious injuries or harm.
The Legends at the Ballpark event takes place in the Pepsi Picnic Plaza and includes a pre-game presentation by Sutter along with a silent auction. Table sponsorships are available through the Rehabilitation Foundation of IPMR by calling 309-692-8110 ext. 694.
Smith will be throw a ceremonial first pitch and then sign autographs on the concourse. Details for the autograph session, including times and prices will be announced at a later date. All donations and proceeds from the autograph signing will benefit IPMR.
MiLB podcast discusses Anthony, Caglianone at Triple-A
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
These are the greatest Minor League promos happening in June
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
New playoff format coming to 2025 Dominican Summer League
Minor League Baseball announced the 2025 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season will begin June 2 with Opening Day festivities taking place at the Boston Red Sox Academy in Guerra. The 2025 campaign will also see the introduction of the DSL Cup, a new playoff format that will see 16 DSL
Debating best Minor League home caps on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Boston's Triple-A affiliate throws birthday bash for Roman Anthony
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Friendly foes, 2024 first-rounders Moore and Caglianone trade first Triple-A homers
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Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
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Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
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Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
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Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
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Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
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Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two