Lee Smith
| Birthdate | 12/04/1957 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1980 |
| Year of Induction | 2019 |
| Teams | Angels, Cardinals, Cubs, Expos, Orioles, Red Sox, Reds, Yankees |
| Position | Pitcher |
A seven-time All Star, Lee Smith held the big league record for career saves from 1993 until 2006 when Trevor Hoffman surpassed his total of 478.
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Lee Smith retired as MLB's all time saves leader
Lee Smith retired as MLB's all time saves leader
Lee Smith pitched for 8 teams during his 18-year big league career. He broke in with the Cubs in 1980, recording 180 saves in his 8 years in Chicago.
An all star in 1983, Smith led the league in saves and games finished. He received support in both Cy Young and MVP balloting. The 6’5″ hurler had 30 or more saves every season from 1984-1987.
Smith had his finest seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1990-1993. During that time he reached the 40-save plateau four times, leading the league twice.
In 1993 Smith became baseball’s all time saves leader. He added to the mark until he retired in 1997 with 478 saves. The record was his until Trevor Hoffman broke it in 2006.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.
In the collection is this contract with Topps baseball cards signed in June of 1987. The year the terms of the pact ended was 1991 when Smith had one of his best seasons, leading the league with a career-high 47 saves. That season he placed second in Cy Young voting.
