Demond Smith ran to career that spanned 19 minors seasons
Demond Smith brought speed to the high-A Lake Elsinore Storm in 1995, The Lake Elsinore Valley Sun-Tribune wrote that August.
But what the paper first focused on were Smith's socks - high socks that resulted from limited uniform offerings the previous year and socks fans could see as he took off for second., The Sun-Tribune wrote.
"I may not make it to the big leagues, but they'll keep saying, 'who's that guy with the high socks," Smith joked to The Sun-Tribune then. "They don't know my name, but they know I got high socks."
Smith went on to steal a total of 54 bases in those socks that year and nearly 600 over a career that spanned a total of 19 seasons, eight of them in Mexico. Smith, however, never did make the majors. He topped out at AAA.
Smith's career began in 1990, taken by the Mets in the sixth round of the draft out of Eisenhower High School in Rialto, California.
Smith started with the Mets in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He saw 46 games and hit .261, stealing 17. He moved to rookie Kingsport for 1991 and then short-season Pittsfield for 1992 and an abbreviated 1993 at single-A Capital City.
He moved to the Angels system for 1994, playing at short-season Boise and high-A Lake Elsinore, then 1995 between single-A Cedar Rapids and Lake Elsinore. He then went to the Athletics system in late 1995 at single-A West Michigan.
Smith played 1996 at AA Huntsville. He hit .260 on the year and stole 30 bases. After a slower earlier stretch, he closed strong, including a 2 for 5 performance in late August, The Huntsville Times wrote.
"I want to finish good, leave a good taste in my mouth," Smith told The Times. "I want to let them know I'm not a quitter. Anybody can quit."
Smith got his first look at AAA in 1997 at Edmonton. He saw 42 games and hit .219. He played 1998 with the White Sox, including five games at AAA Calgary. He played 1999 and 2000 at AA Greenville with the Braves.
Smith then embarked on playing in Mexico and the independent leagues over the next eight seasons. He played briefly at independent Fargo-Moorhead in 2002 before returning in 2004 as a "prolific Mexican League slugger," The Fargo Forum wrote.
"You always like going to a place you are comfortable," Smith told The Forum wrote.
Smith continued playing in Mexico and in independent leagues through 2008. He last played at Chihuahua and at Calgary
Smith later turned scout. In 2023, he was working with the Rangers.
- Lake Elsinore Valley Sun-Tribune, Aug. 3, 1995: For the latest in baseball fashion, see Demond Smith
- Huntsville Times, Aug. 29, 1996: Stars stomped by Smokies
- Fargo Forum, July 27, 2004: RedHawks acquire prolific Mexican League slugger
Made the Majors:1,469-31.7%
Never Made Majors:3,159-68.3%-X