Joe Smith

Joseph Michael Smith (born March 22, 1984) is an American former professional baseball pitcher.

He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, and Minnesota Twins.

In 2004, Smith played collegiate summer baseball with the New England Collegiate Baseball League with the North Adams Steeplecats.

In 2005, he was the WSU team MVP and in 2006 he was awarded second-team All-Mideast Region, first-team Horizon League, Horizon League Pitcher of the Year, and WSU Most Valuable Male Athlete.

In 2005, Smith briefly pitched for the Rockville Express, a team in the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League.

In 2005, he made nine appearances for the Express, posting a 4.66 ERA, a 1–0 win–loss record, and earning two saves.

Later in the summer of 2005, Smith also pitched for the Edenton Steamers in the Coastal Plain League.

In 16 regular-season appearances, totaling 17 1⁄3 innings pitched, he tallied nine saves with a 2.08 ERA, a .197 batting average against, and struck out 19 batters.

He also recorded the final out of the 2005 Petitt Cup tournament, on a comebacker, to give Edenton its second consecutive league championship.

Smith attended Wright State University and was drafted by the Mets in the third round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft.

The New York Mets selected Smith in the third round of the 2006 MLB draft.

Smith began his professional career with the Brooklyn Cyclones of the Low–A New York–Penn League.

He was named one of the top 20 prospects in the New York–Penn League by Baseball America.

When Duaner Sánchez was hurt during a taxi cab incident in 2006, Mets general manager Omar Minaya considered recalling Smith to the major leagues.

Instead, the Mets traded for Roberto Hernández and Óliver Pérez to give Smith more time in the minors.

He made his major league debut in 2007.

Smith attended Amelia High School in Batavia, Ohio.

He was a three-year varsity letterman in baseball and an All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference honoree, Smith also pitched five years for the select American Amateur Baseball Congress Midland team in Cincinnati.

Even though his labrum surgery, he was dedicated to returning to baseball.

In college at Wright State University, Smith redshirted for the Wright State Raiders and played three years in Horizon League competition.

Ultimately, Smith became Wright State's closer during his junior and senior years, as he gained 4 – on his fastball after changing his delivery.

In his senior season, he had 13 saves and a 0.98 earned run average (ERA).

In three seasons Smith posted 22 saves, 145 strikeouts, and 39 walks.

Smith made the Mets' Opening Day 25-man roster in 2007.

On April 1, 2007, Smith made his major league debut.

He struck out one (Preston Wilson) and walked one (Albert Pujols).

He also gave up a single to David Eckstein.

Smith earned his first major league win on April 24, 2007, after coming on in relief in the 12th inning.

Smith enjoyed much success at the beginning of 2007 but began to tire and was sent down to the minors at mid-year.

Smith was with the Mets for the 2008 season, enjoying varied success.

He went 6–3 in 63.3 innings with a 3.55 ERA.

On December 10, 2008, Smith was traded by the Mets to the Cleveland Indians as part of a twelve-player, three-team deal.

On January 18, 2013, the Cleveland Indians announced they had avoided arbitration with Smith, signing him to a one-year contract worth $3.15 million.

Smith became a free agent following the 2013 season but expressed interest in remaining with the Tribe.

On November 24, 2013, Smith reportedly agreed to a three-year contract for $15 million with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, pending the completion of a physical.

On November 27, 2013, the Angels confirmed that the team and Smith agreed to the terms.

On April 25, 2014, Smith was named the Angels' new closer after multiple struggles by former closer Ernesto Frieri.

After the Angels traded for San Diego Padres' All-Star closer Huston Street on July 18, 2014, Smith was moved to an eighth-inning setup role.

Smith finished 2014 with 15 saves in 76 games, achieving a 1.81 ERA on 1105 pitches.

On June 8, 2016, Smith went on the disabled list with a hamstring injury.