Smith, "Broadway" Aleck

Alexander Benjamin Smith

The versatile "Broadway" played almost every position at the turn on the century for the Giants, Red Sox and Cubs, among others, maintaining a .264 lifetime batting average, with three seasons at .300 or better.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. 1871 - d. July 9, 1919

Career Highlights:
In 1897, Smith broke into the majors with the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, hitting .300 in 66 games. In 1899, he played for the Baltimore Orioles (it was John McGraw's first season as manager), and Brooklyn, now called the Superbas (they would become the Dodgers in 1913). Aleck was the starting catcher for Brooklyn, who finished first in the National League. Brooklyn repeated as champions the following year, but Aleck played in only 7 games. He remained in the majors, playing sparingly, for five more seasons with four teams. In 1903, Aleck was a member of the Boston Red Sox (AL), who defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first-ever World Series! He hit .303 for the Sox that year, but did not play in the postseason.

Career Dates:
Smith played for the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, 1897-1898, the Baltimore Orioles in 1899, the Brooklyn Superbas in 1899-1900, the New York Giants in 1901, the Orioles again in 1902, the Boston Red Sox in 1903, the Chicago Cubs in 1904, and ended his career with the New York Giants in 1906.

Position:
Although he spent most of his career behind the plate, Smith also played 57 games in the outfield, 18 at first base, 10 at third base and 5 at second.

Physical description:
Right-handed.

Career Statistics:
Games: 287
Batting Avg.: .264
Slugging Avg.: .324

At-bats: 955
Hits: 252
Doubles: 30
Triples: 12

Home Runs: 1
Home Run %: 0.1
Runs: 107
RBI: 130

BB: 26
Strike Outs: No available statistics
Stolen Bases: 38

Pinch Hitting
At-bats: 11
Hits: 1

Fielding Statistics
Put-outs: 804
Assists: 214
Errors: 74
Double-plays: 30

Total Chances per Game: 3.9
Fielding Avg: .932

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