Mississippi Mike Smith tried new pitch, saw 5 ML seasons
Having already seen brief time in two major league seasons, the Reds' Mike Smith hoped a new pitch he'd been working on would get him more, The Associated Press wrote in spring 1986.
"I've been working on it, but I wasn't ready to go with it last year, mainly because I didn't have the confidence to throw anything but fastballs to hitters," Smith told The AP then. "But now I have confidence in the pitch and I think it will help my overall pitching a whole lot."
Smith did make it back to Cincinnati that year, but for only two outings. He later saw time with the Expos and Pirates, seeing time over five major league seasons in all.
Smith's career began in 1981, signed by the Reds as an undrafted free agent out of Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi.
Smith's origins in Mississippi would later give him the nickname of "Mississippi Mike Smith" as the quickest way to differentiate him and another Mike Smith, "Texas Mike Smith," who played at the same time and even on the same team. (Both even had the same middle name, Anthony.)
Smith spoke to The Pittsburgh Press about how he got his start, getting little interest before a Reds scout spotted him.
"I took the first thing he offered," Smith told The Press in 1989. "I just wanted a chance to play pro ball."
Smith started with the Reds at rookie Billings. He went 5-5, with a 1.37 ERA. He then moved to single-A Tampa for 1982, then AA Waterbury for 1983.
For 1984, he split time between AA Vermont and AAA Wichita. He also made Cincinnati.
Smith saw eight relief outings for the Reds in 1984. In 10.1 innings of work, he gave up six earned runs. He also picked up a win.
He returned for two more outings in each of 1985 and 1986. He got 3.1 innings of major league work each year, giving up two earned and then five earned.
Smith moved to the Expos system for 1987, but didn't see the majors. He made it to Montreal in 1988 for five more games.
He started 1989 with the Orioles, where he played alongside Texas Mike Smith. That April, Smith ran into some ninth inning trouble after entering in the seventh, and his manager used the nickname when talking to The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
"After I got (the previous pitcher) out, I wanted Mississippi to finish the game," Rochester manager Greg Biagini told The Democrat and Chronicle. "It didn't work out."
Smith was then traded that June to the Pirates and he made Pittsburgh. He saw 16 relief appearances for the Pirates. He went 0-1, with a 3.75 ERA.
Smith played 1990 in the Yankees system, 10 outings at AA Albany-Colonie and two at AAA Columbus. He didn't see New York.
He later is recorded as returning to independent ball for five more seasons, starting in 1996. He played at Bangor, Greenville, Pacific, Atlantic City and Zion. He's last recorded as playing at Zion in 2000.
- Lima News, Associated Press, March 7, 1986: Reds' Mike Smith hopeful for 1986
- Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, April 17, 1989: Wings steal one from Red Sox, 8-5
- Pittsburgh Press, Aug. 4, 1989: Mississippi Mike makes his mark
Made the Majors:1,463-31.8%-X
Never Made Majors:3,141-68.2%