Phenomenal Smith
Major League Baseball player
Died when: 87 years 113 days (1047 months)Star Sign: Sagittarius
John Francis "Phenomenal" Smith (December 12, 1864 – April 3, 1952), born as John Francis Gammon, was an American professional baseball player and player-manager from 1884 to 1905.
He played eight seasons in Major League Baseball, principally as a pitcher, for six different clubs.In his eight seasons in the major leagues, Smith appeared as a pitcher in 140 games and compiled a 54–74 (.422) win–loss record with a 3.89 earned run average (ERA) and 519 strikeouts.
He saw his most extensive playing time with the Baltimore Orioles of the American Association, compiling a 41–50 win–loss record during the 1887 and 1888 seasons.
Smith later served as a player-manager in the minor leagues from the early 1890s through 1905.He was credited with discovering Christy Mathewson in 1899 and developing him into an outstanding pitcher during the 1900 season.