Hubbry Logo
Sherry SmithSherry SmithMain
Open search
Sherry Smith
Community hub
Sherry Smith
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Sherry Smith
Sherry Smith
Sherry Smith
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Sherrod Malone (Sherry) Smith (February 18, 1891 – September 12, 1949) was an American starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1911 until 1927, he pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1911–12), Brooklyn Robins (1915–17, 1919–1922) and Cleveland Indians (1922–1927). Smith batted right-handed and threw left-handed. He was born in Monticello, Georgia.[1]

Key Information

Smith was the hard-luck loser of one of the longest World Series games ever played. He pitched all the way into the 14th inning for Brooklyn, dueling with Boston's starting pitcher, Babe Ruth, in Game 2 of the 1916 World Series until the Red Sox won it 2–1. It would be his only appearance in that Series.

He made two strong starts in the 1920 World Series. Smith was the winning pitcher of Game 3 against Cleveland, throwing a three-hitter in a 2–1 victory. But despite another impressive effort in Game 6, he lost a 1–0 duel with Duster Mails, and Brooklyn ended up losing that Series in seven games.

Placed on waivers after the 1922 season, Smith was claimed by Cleveland and pitched there for several seasons. He led all American League pitchers in 1925 in complete games with 22, also leading the league that season in walks and hits allowed.

In a 14-season career, Smith posted a 114–118 record with 428 strikeouts and a 3.32 ERA in 2,052.2 innings pitched.

Smith was a good hitting pitcher in his major league career. He posted a .233 batting average (165-for-709) with 59 runs, 6 home runs and 60 RBI. He was used as a pinch-hitter five times in his career.[2]

Smith died in Reidsville, Georgia, at age 58.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Sherry Smith

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Sherry Smith was an American former professional baseball pitcher known for his durable career as a left-handed starter in Major League Baseball and his exceptional postseason performances. Born Sherrod Malone Smith on February 18, 1891, in Monticello, Georgia, he earned the nickname Sherry and played from 1911 to 1927 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Brooklyn Robins (later Dodgers), and Cleveland Indians. He gained lasting recognition for his World Series record, including a 14-inning effort against Babe Ruth in 1916 and a career World Series ERA among the lowest in major league history. Smith's career was marked by reliability and defensive skill, with standout seasons such as 1915 (14–8 record) and 1920, as well as strong innings totals in his later years with Cleveland. He interrupted his playing time to serve in the U.S. Army during World War I, reaching France before returning to baseball. After retiring as a player, he coached in the minor leagues and later served as police chief in Georgia towns including Porterdale and Madison. His contributions to baseball in his home state were honored with induction into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1980 and a state historical marker designating him "Mansfield’s Famous Southpaw." Smith died on September 12, 1949, in Reidsville, Georgia.

Early life

Birth and family background

Sherrod Malone Smith, better known by his nickname Sherry Smith, was born on February 18, 1891, in Monticello, Georgia. He was the sixth of eight children born to Henry Smith and Zipora Permelia Smith (also recorded as Zipora Smith), who were part of a farming family. Smith was reared and educated in Mansfield, Georgia, which he considered his hometown, and finished his schooling in 1909. Details on his siblings' names or additional specific early childhood circumstances are limited in available sources.

Major League Baseball career

Pittsburgh Pirates (1911–1912)

Sherry Smith made his Major League Baseball debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 11, 1911, entering in relief during a 19-10 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. The 20-year-old left-handed pitcher, who batted right, stood 6 feet 1 inch tall, and weighed 170 pounds, had been acquired by the Pirates after they purchased his contract from the Jacksonville Jays of the South Atlantic League following the 1910 season. In his only appearance of 1911, Smith struggled in two-thirds of an inning, allowing four hits, one walk, and five earned runs. Following this outing, he was sent to the minor leagues for further experience and did not appear again for Pittsburgh that year. In 1912, Smith spent most of the season in the minors with the Springfield Reapers of the Central League before returning to the Pirates for three relief appearances late in the year. Across his four total games with Pittsburgh from 1911 to 1912—all in relief—he pitched 4.2 innings, allowed 10 hits and seven earned runs, recorded no decisions, struck out three, and posted a 13.50 ERA. Despite showing promise as a side-arming southpaw, Smith was unable to secure a permanent spot on the Pirates' roster during this initial Major League stint.

Brooklyn Robins (1915–1917, 1919–1922)

Smith joined the Brooklyn Robins prior to the 1915 season after being purchased by owner Charles Ebbets, establishing himself as a dependable starting pitcher on Wilbert Robinson's staff. In his debut full major-league season, he compiled a 14-8 record with a 2.59 ERA across 173.2 innings and 20 starts, while leading the National League with an exceptional pickoff move that proved highly effective against base runners. Smith continued as a key rotation member in 1916, posting a 14-10 record and 2.34 ERA over 219 innings and 25 starts, helping the Robins capture the National League pennant. He followed with a 12-12 mark and 3.32 ERA in 1917, appearing in 38 games including 23 starts. Smith missed the entire 1918 season while serving in the military during World War I, reporting for duty late in 1917 and spending time overseas with the 102nd Field Artillery Regiment. Returning in 1919, Smith struggled initially to regain his form after military service, finishing 7-12 despite a strong 2.24 ERA in 173 innings. He rebounded in 1920 with an 11-9 record and career-best 1.85 ERA across 136.1 innings, contributing to the Robins' second National League championship during his tenure. Smith remained a reliable starter and occasional reliever through 1921 and 1922, though his performance declined with a 3.90 ERA in 1921 and 4.56 ERA in 1922. Overall, he compiled a 69-70 record with a 2.91 ERA in 1,197.1 innings pitched over 229 games (125 starts) with Brooklyn, including 72 complete games, 11 shutouts, and 18 saves. He participated in the 1916 and 1920 World Series as part of the championship teams. On September 18, 1922, the Cleveland Indians claimed him off waivers from Brooklyn, ending his tenure with the Robins.

Cleveland Indians (1922–1927)

Sherry Smith joined the Cleveland Indians in 1922 after several seasons with the Brooklyn Robins, serving as a reliable starting pitcher for the club through the 1927 season. His time in Cleveland marked the final phase of his Major League career, during which he continued to take regular turns in the rotation. Smith's most notable performance came in 1925, when he led the American League in complete games with 22. He also paced the league with the lowest walks per nine innings rate at 1.82, demonstrating exceptional control. However, his heavy workload resulted in league-high totals in hits allowed (296) and earned runs allowed (128). Smith's final big-league appearance occurred on July 18, 1927, bringing his tenure with the Indians and his playing career to a close.

Career statistics and achievements

Sherry Smith compiled a 114–118 win–loss record with a 3.32 earned run average across his 14-season Major League Baseball career. He appeared in 373 games, starting 226 of them, and pitched 2,052.2 innings while recording 428 strikeouts and issuing 440 walks. His WHIP stood at 1.303, reflecting solid overall performance with 2,234 hits and 757 earned runs allowed. Smith was particularly noted for his excellent control on the mound, posting a career walks per nine innings rate of 1.93, which ranks 78th all-time among pitchers with at least 1,000 innings pitched. This low walk rate contributed to his effectiveness despite a modest strikeout total. As a batter, primarily in his role as a pitcher, Smith hit .233 (165-for-709) with 6 home runs and 60 RBI over 709 at-bats.

Postseason performances

1916 World Series

In the 1916 World Series, Sherry Smith started Game 2 for the Brooklyn Robins against the Boston Red Sox. On October 9, 1916, at Braves Field in Boston, Smith pitched a complete game in a 14-inning contest that ended with a 2–1 loss for Brooklyn. Smith dueled with Boston's Babe Ruth, who also went the distance for the win, in one of the longest games in World Series history. Brooklyn scored first on an inside-the-park home run by Hi Myers in the top of the first inning, but Boston tied the game in the third when Everett Scott scored on a groundout by Ruth. The score remained 1–1 through 13 innings of strong pitching and defense on both sides until the bottom of the 14th, when pinch-hitter Del Gainer singled to drive in the winning run for Boston after a walk and sacrifice. Smith allowed two earned runs on seven hits and six walks while striking out two in his 13.1 innings of work, receiving the loss in this memorable pitcher's duel.

1920 World Series

Sherry Smith made two starts for the Brooklyn Robins in the 1920 World Series against the Cleveland Indians. In Game 3 on October 7, 1920, he pitched a complete-game victory, allowing three hits and one unearned run over nine innings with two walks and two strikeouts in a 2–1 win that gave Brooklyn a 2–1 series lead. Smith induced weak contact throughout, forcing numerous ground balls in a strong outing against Cleveland's lineup. Smith returned to the mound for Game 6 on October 11, 1920, in Cleveland, where he delivered another complete-game performance but took the loss in a 1–0 defeat. Pitching eight innings, he allowed seven hits, one earned run, one walk, and one strikeout, as the Robins were shut out on three hits by Cleveland's Duster Mails. The lone run scored in the sixth inning on a double by George Burns following a single by Tris Speaker. Despite the loss, Smith's effort was described as brilliant, with observers noting he delivered some of the best pitching by Brooklyn pitchers in the series. Across his two appearances, Smith posted a 1–1 record with a 0.53 ERA over 17 innings, allowing 10 hits, two runs (one earned), three walks, and three strikeouts.

Later life and death

Retirement and post-career years

After his final Major League season with the Cleveland Indians in 1927, Sherry Smith was unconditionally released in early 1928 and returned to Georgia. He continued in professional baseball in the minor leagues through 1932, serving as a player and manager for teams including the Atlanta Crackers (1928), Cedartown Sea Cows (1928–1930), Greenville Spinners (1931), and Macon Peaches (1932). After ending his baseball career, Smith entered law enforcement, serving as chief of police in Porterdale, Georgia (and sheriff of surrounding Newton County), captain of the guard at Tattnall State Prison in Reidsville, sergeant of the guard force at the Southeastern shipyard in Savannah during World War II, and chief of police in Madison, Georgia (November 1945–November 1948). He resided in the Mansfield area for much of his later life.

Death

Sherry Smith died on September 12, 1949, at the age of 58 in Reidsville, Georgia, of a heart attack. Born in Monticello, Georgia, he passed away in his native state.

Archival film appearance

1916 World Series footage

Sherry Smith appeared as himself in the 1916 silent documentary short film World Series Games 1916, Boston vs. Brooklyn, credited in the role of Self (Brooklyn Robins). This archival footage captured real events and players from the 1916 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Brooklyn Robins, functioning as a newsreel-style record rather than a scripted or narrative production. The film marks Smith's only known motion picture credit and sole archival appearance, with no evidence of other film or media roles in his career. The footage documents the series in which Smith pitched 13⅓ innings in Game 2, a 14-inning pitchers' duel against Babe Ruth.
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.