Tom Smith (baseball coach, born 1942) explained

Tom Smith
Birth Date:9 December 1942
Birth Place:Coldwater, Michigan, U.S.
Alma Mater:Michigan State University
Player Years1:1962
Player Team1:Dublin Braves
Player Positions:Catcher
Coach Years1:1964–1982
Coach Team1:Michigan State (asst.)
Coach Years2:1983–1995
Coach Team2:Michigan State
Overall Record:377–332–2
Tournament Record:B1G: 4–10
Awards:
  • 2× Big Ten Coach of the Year (1988, 1992)

Thomas Woodrow Smith (born December 9, 1942) is a former American college baseball coach and catcher. He played professional baseball in 1962, before retiring due to injury. He was the head baseball coach at Michigan State University from 1983 to 1995.

Playing career

Smith attended Coldwater High School in Coldwater, Michigan, where he played baseball, basketball and football. On August 17, 1961, it was reported that Smith had signed a professional baseball contract with the Milwaukee Braves.[1] Smith began his professional career with the Dublin Braves of the Georgia–Florida League, where he hit .243 with 3 home runs and 35 RBIs. Following an injury plagued 1963 season, Smith turned down a contract from the Los Angeles Angels and retired from professional baseball.[2]

Coaching career

Smith worked as a student assistant under Danny Litwhiler until he completed his degree. In 1967, he worked as the freshman coach as well as an assistant with the varsity. On March 12, 1982, Smith was promoted to head coach after Litwhiler announced his retirement.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Coldwater's Tom Smith Turns Pro . August 17, 1961 . Battle Creek Enquirer . www.newspapers.com . November 30, 2019.
  2. Web site: Thomas W. Smith Endowed Scholarship in Kinesiology . Michigan State University . www.education.msu.edu . November 30, 2019.
  3. Web site: Michigan State assistant baseball coach Tom Smith has been... . March 12, 1982 . United Press International, Inc . www.upi.com . November 30, 2019.