Forest Elwood "Woody" Smith (born February 25, 1927 in University City, Missouri, United States; died February 4, 2005) was a baseball figure who spent 18 seasons playing in the minor leagues and another 12 managing at that level. A third baseman, Smith played from 1946 to 1962 and again in 1969. Though his statistical record is incomplete, it is known that he collected at least 1,755 hits in his career - with at least 342 being doubles, 43 being triples and 130 being home runs. In 1951, he had perhaps his best season when he hit .320 with 30 doubles, six triples, three home runs and 162 hits for the West Palm Beach Indians. He spent 1957 with the

Miami Marlins The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The club's home ballpark is LoanDepot Park. The franc ...

of the

International League The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball ...

, where he, Pancho Herrera, Mickey Micelotta, and Pancho Herrera were considered to be one of the best infields in the International League, with one writer saying, "they make plays the Phillies couldn't make." In October 1957, he was purchased by the

Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...

to be placed on their roster, however he never appeared in the major leagues with them. Smith began his managerial career in 1969 as skipper of the

, heading them until 1970. He then skippered the

Miami Orioles Miami ( ), officially the City of Miami, known as "the 305", "The Magic City", and "Gateway to the Americas", is a East Coast of the United States, coastal metropolis and the County seat, county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade C ...

until 1972. Each of the teams he managed in his first four seasons ended up becoming league champions. In 1973, Smith managed the

Key West Conchs Key or The Key may refer to: Common meanings * Key (cryptography), a piece of information that controls the operation of a cryptography algorithm * Key (lock), device used to control access to places or facilities restricted by a lock * Key (ma ...

. He skippered the

San Antonio Missions The San Antonio Missions are a Minor League Baseball team of the Texas League and the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. They are located in San Antonio, Texas, and are named for the Spanish missions around which the city was founded. ...

in 1974 and 1975. Though he did not manage in 1976, he returned in 1977, managing the

Waterloo Indians The Waterloo Indians were a minor league baseball team that played from 1977 to 1988 in the Midwest League. They played their home games at Riverfront Stadium and were affiliated with the Cleveland Indians. They were located in Waterloo, Iowa Wa ...

. That year, he led them to the league finals, which they lost, and in 1978 he led them to the playoffs, though they did not get past the first round. From 1979 to 1981, he managed the Chattanooga Lookouts.

References

External links

"Woody Smith Remains Bitter"
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Woody 1927 births 2005 deaths Aberdeen Pheasants players Ada Herefords players Baseball players from Missouri Beaumont Roughnecks players California Angels scouts Charleston Senators players Chattanooga Lookouts managers Denver Bears players Gloversville-Johnstown Glovers players Hannibal Pilots players Havana Sugar Kings players Kansas City Blues (baseball) players Miami Marlins (FSL) players Miami Marlins (IL) players Muskogee Reds players Rochester Red Wings players Springfield Browns players Syracuse Chiefs players Wausau Lumberjacks players West Palm Beach Indians players American expatriate baseball players in Cuba