Tim Smith started slow at AA; Saw three seasons there, played five overall, missed bigs
Tim Smith started 1992 poorly at AA New Britain, 0-6 poorly, The Hartford Courant wrote.
But, after a five-hit shutout in an early June outing, Smith chose to look forward, The Courant wrote.
"It's a huge relief," Smith told The Courant. "So now I'm 1-0, and we'll take it from there."
Smith went on to pick up two more wins that year - to a bunch more losses. But he also continued pitching for two seasons beyond that overall 3-20 campaign. He played both at New Britain. He didn't make it higher.
Smith's career began in 1990, taken by the Red Sox in the 24th round of the draft out of Boston College.
He started with the Red Sox at short-season Elmira. He went 4-6 over 23 outings, two starts, with a 3.68 ERA. He also saved five.
Smith saved one of those games in a late-June contest, a five-inning save where he used his curve, then went to his fastball, The Elmira Star-Gazette wrote.
"My curve ball left me, so I just started throwing the fastball all the time," Smith told The Star-Gazette. "I just started to see the end of the game, so I wanted it."
Smith moved to high-A Lynchburg for 1991. He went 12-9 there over 25 starts, with a 2.16 ERA. He then made New Britain for 1992 and ended with that 3-20 record, with a 5.32 ERA.
He returned to New Britain for 1993 and 1994. He went 7-13 in 1993, with a 3.79 ERA in 28 starts. For 1994, he started 26 and went 6-14, with a 5.76 ERA. That season marked his last as a pro.
- Elmira Star-Gazette, June 29, 1990: Smith, Dukes rally Elmira
- Hartford Courant, June 3, 1992: Britsox take two from Tigers
Made the Majors:1,256-34.0%
Never Made Majors:2,441-66.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:522
10+ Seasons in the Minors:309
