MLB: Top 20 closers in Major League Baseball history
Career Statistics:
- Games: 1,022
- Saves: 478
- Won-Loss Record: 71-92
- ERA: 3.03
- ERA+: 132
- FIP: 2.93
- WHIP: 1.256
- Innings: 1,289.1
- Strikeouts: 1,251
- Strikeout Percentage: 23.2%
- All-Star Appearances: 7
- World Series Championships: 0
- Awards: None
A second round pick by the Chicago Cubs in the 1975 First-Year Player Draft, Lee Smith moved quickly through the Chicago farm system and made his Major League debut in 1980 at the age of 22. Smith worked primarily out of the bullpen during his first two seasons before taking over as the closer in 1982. The following year, Smith was dominant and posted a 1.65 ERA in 103.1 innings across 66 games. He led the National League with 56 games finished and 29 saves, and ended up in the top ten in the Cy Young Award voting, as well as the top 20 in the MVP race.
In 1991, as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, the big right-hander posted a 2.34 ERA and led the NL with 61 games finished in 67 appearances. He also led all of baseball with a career-high 47 saves. He finished second in the NL Cy Young Award voting that season and placed eighth in MVP consideration. Smith also led the big leagues in saves in 1992 and 1994
One of the disappointments of Smith’s career is that he never had an opportunity to pitch in a World Series. In fact, Smith only appeared in four postseason games: two with the Cubs in the 1984 NLCS and two with the Boston Red Sox in the 1988 ALCS. But the biggest shame is the fact he has yet to be elected to the Hall of Fame.
Smith finished his career as the all-time saves leader with 478, a mark that stood for nine seasons until Trevor Hoffman broke it in 2006.
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