Chris Smith (pitcher, born 1981)

1. Early Life and College Career

Christopher Michael Smith was born on April 9, 1981, in Apple Valley, California, within San Bernardino County, California. He graduated from Hesperia High School in Hesperia, California, in 1999. Smith then attended the University of California, Riverside, where he showcased his pitching talent in college baseball. During his time at the university, he compiled a collegiate record of 9 wins and 8 losses, accompanied by an impressive ERA of 2.91. He also set a school record with 127 strikeouts and recorded a team-high eight complete games. His collegiate achievements included earning Big West Pitcher of the Week honors after a standout performance against the University of California, Irvine, where he tallied 15 strikeouts. Furthermore, he was recognized for his skills by being named to the second team All-Big West.

2. Professional Career

Chris Smith's professional baseball career began in 2002 after being drafted by the Boston Red Sox. His journey included stints in the minor league systems of multiple Major League organizations, periods in independent baseball leagues, and ultimately, a return to the Major Leagues with the Oakland Athletics, marking a notable display of perseverance. His nickname was Rock 'n' Fire.

2.1. Boston Red Sox

Smith was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 4th round of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft, as the 118th overall pick. He started his professional journey with the Lowell Spinners in the New York-Penn League. However, his initial professional season in 2002 was largely sidelined due to an injury sustained in an ATV accident. By 2006, Smith had advanced to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, and he split the 2006 and 2007 seasons between Pawtucket and the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. He began the 2008 season with Pawtucket before being called up to the Red Sox's bullpen on May 17, 2008. This initial call-up was brief, as he was sent back to Pawtucket on May 20 without making an MLB appearance.

Smith made his highly anticipated Major League debut on June 21, 2008, at Fenway Park against the St. Louis Cardinals. He entered the game in the second inning with the bases loaded, relieving starter Daisuke Matsuzaka. His first major league out was a significant one, striking out Rick Ankiel with three consecutive changeups. Despite this, he then surrendered a grand slam to Troy Glaus, which accounted for his first earned run. In his debut, Smith pitched four innings, allowing only one run on three hits, while striking out three batters and issuing no walks. Just three days later, on June 24, 2008, he earned his first Major League win, pitching two scoreless innings in relief of Justin Masterson against the Arizona Diamondbacks. After the 2008 season, on October 17, Smith was designated for assignment by the Red Sox and elected to become a free agent after clearing waivers.

Smith with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2009

2.2. Milwaukee Brewers

Following his departure from the Red Sox, Chris Smith signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, which included an invitation to spring training. He began the 2009 season with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. On June 4, 2009, he was called up to the Major League roster by the Brewers. He was optioned back to Nashville on August 10, but then recalled to Milwaukee on September 1, where he finished the season. In 2009, he appeared in 35 games as a reliever for the Brewers, posting an ERA of 4.11.

On January 27, 2010, Smith was again designated for assignment by the Brewers to accommodate Joe Inglett on the roster. He spent the majority of the 2010 season playing for Nashville, but also made three appearances for Milwaukee. That year, Smith distinguished himself by leading the Pacific Coast League with 26 saves. At the conclusion of the 2010 season, he elected to become a free agent.

2.3. Minor and Independent Leagues

After his tenure with the Milwaukee Brewers, Smith continued his professional career by signing a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners. In 2011, he played for their Triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Rainiers, before being released during the season. Following this, he spent the 2012 season in the independent Frontier League with the Washington Wild Things. In 2013, he signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees, though he ultimately played for the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, signing with them on March 5, 2013. In 2014, he played for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, another independent league.

2.4. San Diego Padres

Chris Smith's efforts in independent baseball led to his contract being purchased by the San Diego Padres organization on June 26, 2014. He was assigned to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas and also spent time with the Double-A San Antonio Missions. In 14 games for El Paso during 2014, he recorded a 5.61 ERA with 46 strikeouts over 43 and one-third innings. He continued to play for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas in 2015.

2.5. Oakland Athletics

Smith threw six innings in a combined no-hitter for Nashville in 2017 (shown).

For the 2016 season, Smith signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics and was assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. On August 6, 2016, at age 35, he was added to the Athletics' 40-man roster and called up to the Major Leagues, primarily due to injuries sustained by pitcher Sonny Gray and catcher Josh Phegley. He made his first MLB appearance in nearly six years on August 7, 2016, pitching a scoreless ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs and striking out Dexter Fowler. After the 2016 season, on October 5, he was sent outright to Triple-A.

Smith remained with the Athletics organization, starting the 2017 season back with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. On June 7, 2017, he made a significant contribution to a combined no-hitter for the Sounds against the Omaha Storm Chasers, pitching the first six innings. He was relieved by Sean Doolittle, Tucker Healy, and Simón Castro, who each pitched one inning to complete the no-hitter. Smith was called up to the Athletics again on July 8, 2017, to make a spot start against the Seattle Mariners. At 36 years old, Smith became the oldest player in 117 years to make his first career start for the Athletics. After the 2017 season, on October 17, he was sent outright to Triple-A and elected to become a free agent, concluding his playing career in Major League Baseball.

3. Coaching Career

After his playing career, Chris Smith transitioned into coaching, staying within the Oakland Athletics organization. For the 2019 season, he was hired as the pitching coach for the Athletics' High-A affiliate, the Stockton Ports. His coaching career continued to progress within the system, as he was promoted to pitching coach for the Double-A affiliate, the Midland RockHounds, for the 2023 season.

4. Career Statistics and Uniform Numbers

Chris Smith's Major League Baseball career spanned parts of five seasons. Below are his pitching statistics for his initial MLB stints with the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers (2008-2010):

Year	Team	Games	Wins	Win%	Batters Faced	Innings Pitched	Hits	Runs	Earned Runs	Hit Batters	Walks	Intentional Walks	Strikeouts	ERA	WHIP
2008	BOS	12	1	1.000	78	18.1	18	16	16	0	7	0	13	7.85	1.36
2009	MIL	35	0	----	200	46.0	41	21	21	3	19	1	35	4.11	1.30
2010	MIL	3	0	----	14	3.1	4	2	2	0	1	0	4	5.40	1.50
MLB Totals (2008-2010)		50	1	1.000	292	67.2	63	39	39	3	27	1	52	5.19	1.33

Note: The above statistics reflect Chris Smith's Major League appearances from 2008 to 2010. He also made MLB appearances for the Oakland Athletics in 2016 and 2017.

Throughout his professional playing career, Chris Smith wore the following uniform numbers:

59 (2008)
52 (2009-2010)
56 (2016-2017)