Manufacturer: Donruss
Set: 1982 Donruss Baseball ➡️
Player Name: Lee Smith
Position/Team: Pitcher for Cubs
Card #: 252
Card Size: 2-1/2” x 3-1/2”
Card Values: See Pricing Table Below
Lee Arthur Smith is a legendary American former professional baseball pitcher who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1980 to 1997. He is widely regarded as one of the most dominant relief pitchers in baseball history.
Smith was primarily a relief pitcher, known for his imposing 6-foot-6 frame, blazing fastball, and intimidating presence on the mound. He was the prototype of the modern “closer.” At the time of his retirement in 1997, Smith held the Major League Baseball record for career saves with 478. This record stood for 13 years until Trevor Hoffman surpassed it in 2006. Smith still ranks among the top all-time in career saves. He also is a 7-time All-Star (1983, 1987, 1991–1995) and 3-time Rolaids Relief Man Award winner (1991, 1992, 1994).
Lee Smith played for eight different MLB teams during his career: Chicago Cubs (1980–1987), Boston Red Sox (1988–1990), St. Louis Cardinals (1990–1993), New York Yankees (1993), Baltimore Orioles (1994), California Angels (1995–1996), Cincinnati Reds (1996) and Montreal Expos (1997).
After appearing on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) ballot for 15 years, Lee Smith was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019 by the Today’s Game Era Committee.
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Pricing Data For This Rookie Card
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Did You Know? While modern fans remember Smith jumping across several contenders late in his career, his departure from the Chicago Cubs ahead of the 1988 season remains one of the most shocking bullpen shakeups of the decade. Smith had spent eight seasons anchoring the North Side bullpen, earning three All-Star nods and leading the NL in saves in 1983.
However, with the emergence of a young Randy Myers in New York and the Cubs looking to retool their roster, Chicago pulled off a blockbuster trade, shipping their franchise closer to the Boston Red Sox for Al Nipper and Calvin Schiraldi. The trade stunned Cubs fans who had grown accustomed to the safety net of Smith’s heavy heater. Smith didn’t miss a beat, stepping directly into the American League and instantly saving 29 games to guide Boston straight to the 1988 AL East division crown.
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