Lee Smith was perhaps the most feared reliever of his generation and helped define the closer's role in the modern game during 18 seasons in the Majors. Harold Baines was far different, stoic and shy, a craftsman who produced 2,866 hits with one of the sweetest swings of his day.
St. Louis Official Site
He led the league in saves with five different teams, retired as the all-time leader in saves, and then Lee Smith watched the role he helped define change, shorten, and his support for the Hall of Fame change, shrink.
Bird Land
As it was with his signature slow, deliberate walk to the mound, it took Lee Smith a little longer than expected to get to Cooperstown, but it was always clear he belonged.
Post-Dispatch
Since he retired in 1997, the stats for Lee Smith have not changed but today the vote finally did as the former St. Louis Cardinals reliever was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
STL Baseball Weekly
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