Monday, July 28, 2008

#554 Mike Smithson




Why this card is awesome: Because I was very surprised to see that he twice tied for the league lead in game starts. He didn't have particularly good years either season, but at least he made all his starts.

Cool stat: From 1985 to 1989, only Dave Stieb hit more batters than Smithson. And over that same period, Stieb pitched 230 more innings and won 19 more games than Smithson.

Smithson makes the top 10 for most shutouts from 1983 to 1986. My man Bert Blyleven is first, tied with Jack Morris.

1 comment:

Ryan Smithson said...

Found this via the 88 Topps podcast. Mike is my uncle and doing very well; he had a post-career coaching stint in his hometown. At 6-foot-8, his love is basketball and continues to coach that sport as well. As a very tall pitcher, he put a lot of strain on his hip and had to have a hip replacement recently but is doing well.