It’s been a while since I added to my 1975 “In-Action” sub-set, so today
I’ll go ahead and post up my card for former slugger Reggie Smith, then
of the St. Louis Cardinals:
Smith now found himself as a Cardinal after a very nice run in Boston between 1966 and 1973.
During that run he finished second in Rookie of the Year, was an
all-star twice, led the league in doubles twice, and led the league in
total bases in 1971.
It's easy (and sad) to forget just what a nice career "the other Reggie" put together through the decade.
His first year with the Cardinals was indeed a good one, as Smith would
not disappoint by hitting 23 homers with 100 runs batted in, while
scoring 79 runs and hitting a robust .309, good enough for an 11th-place
finish in the MVP race.
Not only was he a legitimate home run threat (finishing his career with
314), but he hit .300 or better seven times during his run, and even
managed to swipe 137 bases as a Major League player.
He'd finish his career with over 1000 runs scored, 1000 runs batted in, 300 homers and 2000 hits.
And let's not forget that he was one of those FOUR Dodger sluggers in
1977 to become the first set of quadruple 30+ homers hitters during the
same season.
Definitely an under-appreciated player from the era!
