Dick Smith (third baseman)

Richard Harrison Smith (July 21, 1926 – January 25, 2021) was an American professional baseball player who appeared in 70 games over parts of five Major League Baseball seasons (1951–1955) as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Smith was primarily a third baseman who also played shortstop and second base. The Blandburg, Pennsylvania, native threw and batted right-handed and was listed as 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) tall and 160 pounds (73 kg). He attended Penn State University and Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania.

Dick Smith
Third baseman
Born: (1926-07-21)July 21, 1926 Blandburg, Pennsylvania
Died: January 25, 2021(2021-01-25) (aged 94) Boalsburg, Pennsylvania
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 14, 1951, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Last MLB appearance
May 1, 1955, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
MLB statistics
Batting average	.134
Home runs	0
Runs batted in	11
Teams
Pittsburgh Pirates (1951–1955)

Smith's professional career lasted for a dozen seasons, beginning in 1949. His highest MLB batting average was .174 in 46 at bats during his rookie 1951 campaign. Lifetime, he hit .134, with his 25 hits including two doubles and two triples. He was credited with 11 runs batted in. In his longest stint in the majors, Smith appeared in 29 games for the last-place 1952 Pirates, but collecting seven hits and batting .106. The Pirates went 42–112 that year.

After his playing career, Smith became a professor of sports science and physical education at Pennsylvania State University, as well as an assistant coach of the Nittany Lions' varsity baseball team.[1] He died on January 25, 2021, in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania.[2]