Mark Smith was a professional baseball player who played for several teams during his career. He was primarily an outfielder, but also played some first base and designated hitter. Smith was known for his power hitting and speed on the basepaths.
Smith began his career in the minor leagues, playing for several teams before being called up to the majors. He made his debut with the team that drafted him, the Baltimore Orioles, but only played in a handful of games before being traded to the California Angels.
With the Angels, Smith saw more playing time and had some success at the plate. He hit his first major league home run in 1994 and finished the season with a .273 batting average. However, he struggled in the following season and was eventually traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In Pittsburgh, Smith had one of his best seasons in 1996. He hit 17 home runs and stole 21 bases, becoming just the third player in Pirates history to hit at least 15 home runs and steal at least 20 bases in a season. He also had a career-high .276 batting average.
After a few more seasons with the Pirates, Smith was traded to the Kansas City Royals in 1999. He played for the Royals for two seasons before being released and signing with the Detroit Tigers.
Smith's time with the Tigers was short-lived, as he was released after just one season. He then signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, but only played in a handful of games before being released again.
Smith's career ended after the 2003 season, during which he played for the independent league team, the Long Island Ducks. He finished his career with a .238 batting average, 39 home runs, and 82 stolen bases.
Despite not having a long or particularly successful career in the majors, Smith was known for his athleticism and versatility on the field. He was also well-liked by his teammates and coaches for his positive attitude and work ethic.
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