Name Vinnie Smith | ||
Vincent Ambrose 'Vinnie' Smith (December 7, 1915 – December 14, 1979) was an American Major League Baseball player and umpire from Richmond, Virginia.
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Career
Smith made his Major League debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 10, 1941 and appeared in 9 games as a catcher. With the outbreak of World War II, he was drafted into the US Navy eventually serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations as a chief petty officer. During his war-time service from 1942 to 1945, he participated in several charity all-star games. After the war he returned to the Pirates in 1946 and played in 7 additional games as a catcher. Following 1946, he remained in minor league baseball as a player and player/manager through 1953.
In Smith's later playing days, he was introduced to the umpiring profession. "While in his final playing season in the minors, the umpires failed to show up for a game due to transportation issues. Players were forced to fill in, and Smith was placed behind the plate. He enjoyed it and stuck with it, and he eventually returned to the majors in that role in 1957." He began umpiring in the 1954 season in the California League working his way to become a National League umpire from 1957 to 1965. He was the home plate umpire on May 26, 1959 when Harvey Haddix threw 12 perfect innings against the Milwaukee Braves.
Death
Smith died in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on December 14, 1979.