St. Louis Cardinals: Is Lonnie Smith the forgotten hero of 1982?

Smith’s post-1982 career

Lonnie Smith continued to have a productive career after 1982. He played two more years for the Cardinals before being traded to the Kansas City Royals in 1985, and helped the Royals win the World Series against the Cardinals.

In 1988 he was signed by the Atlanta Braves, and was an important contributor on their 1991 and 1992 National League Pennant teams. Additionally, while with the Braves, he won the MLB Comeback Player of the Year Award in 1989. During his five years in Atlanta, Smith hit .290/..380/.456 with an OPS+ of 131.

Smith finished his career in 1994 with a 17-year slas hline of .288/.371/.420 and a OPS+ of 118. In five World Series and six playoff series, Smith hit .278 with 28 runs scored and 17 RBI.

Final thoughts on Lonnie Smith

To me, it’s a bit of head-scratcher that Lonnie Smith hasn’t received the same accolades as the other members of the 1982 team. As of yet, Smith has not been on the Cardinals Hall of Fame ballot.

One issue may be his highly public one month stint in drug rehab during the middle of the 1983 season. It was an issue he struggled with on and off during his baseball career, likely being one of the reasons leading to his trade from St. Louis in 1985.

I don’t know where Lonnie Smith’s relationship with Cardinals organization currently stands. His name rarely comes up when the franchise and the fans remember the 1982 season.

I also understand that one player doesn’t create a World Championship. We all know baseball is a team sport. Even so, without the contributions of Lonnie Smith, it’s hard to see the St. Louis Cardinals winning the 1982 World Series.