Clarence Melvin Smyres (May 24, 1922 – November 27, 2007) was an American professional baseball player who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers of Major League Baseball in 1944.
| Clancy Smyres | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pinch hitter | |
| Born: May 24, 1922 Culver City, California, U.S. | |
| Died: November 27, 2007 (aged 85) Lancaster, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Switch Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 18, 1944, for the Brooklyn Dodgers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| April 30, 1944, for the Brooklyn Dodgers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .000 |
| Runs scored | 1 |
| RBI | 0 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| |
Biography
editSmyres was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1944 after an injury to shortstop-manager Leo Durocher.[1]
Smyres appeared in five games for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1944 Major League Baseball season, recording two at bats but no hits. He never played defense for the Dodgers.
Though having never recorded a major league hit, his autograph is one of the rarest among former athletes and is highly sought by collectors. Items signed by Smyres consistently fetch high prices at auction.[2] This is due to the fact that Smyres refused all autograph requests, no matter how much money someone would offer him.[2] However, his signature has been obtained from a few items, including a hotel register that he had signed and a 1944 Trenton Packers team autographed ball.[2][3]
Smyres was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
References
edit- ^ McGowen, Roscoe (April 11, 1944). "Shortstop Smyres Signed by Dodgers; Rickey Takes Youngster for Infield 'Insurance' After Injury to Durocher". The New York Times. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ a b c "The Strange Saga of Clancy Smyres and Why His Autograph is More Valuable Than Babe Ruth". September 23, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
- ^ "The Only Known Clancy Smyres Signed Baseball On Earth Brooklyn Dodgers JSA COA". showpiecessports.com. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
External links
edit- Career statistics from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
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