In 2025, Hall of Fame closer Lee Smith spoke with Jon Paul Morosi on the Baseball Hall of Fame podcast “The Road to Cooperstown.” The conversation covered how he found his way to the majors, his quirks as a reliever, and the health scare that changed his life.
Smith grew up in rural Louisiana and was discovered while playing sandlot ball. He was catching without proper gear when legendary scout Buck O’Neil approached him, asking for “Lee Arthur.” Since no one called him that, Smith didn’t realize O’Neil meant him. When O’Neil said the Cubs were thinking of drafting him, Smith joked that he thought they meant the military. On O’Neil’s recommendation, Chicago selected him in the second round of the 1975 draft.
Early in his pro career with Midland (Texas), manager Randy Hundley moved Smith from starter to reliever. Smith hated the switch, believing at the time that the bullpen was where failed starters were sent. He planned to quit baseball and play basketball at Northwestern State instead. Cubs instructor Billy Williams personally visited Smith at home, talked him into returning, and convinced him to stick with pitching relief. Smith eventually reached the majors with the Cubs in September 1980 and became their closer in July 1982, going on to earn 478 saves over 18 seasons with teams including the Cubs, Cardinals, and Red Sox.
Smith became known for his unconventional game-day routine. During afternoon games at Wrigley Field, he often napped on a training table with a heating pad on his back. The assistant trainer’s job was to make sure he was in the correct uniform and in the bullpen by the sixth inning. Smith said there was nothing better than waking up to find his team holding a three-run lead. He also developed a friendly relationship with the Wrigley Field grounds crew after learning they earned overtime pay after 4:30 p.m. Smith deliberately made a slow, deliberate walk from the bullpen to the mound, joking that he was helping send their kids to college by stretching the game past the overtime threshold.
He also talked about using Wrigley’s late-afternoon shadows to his advantage. In one game, he struck out Eric Davis looking to end it. Davis complained to umpire Frank Pulli that the pitch was a couple of inches outside. According to Smith, Pulli replied that it “sounded like a strike,” illustrating how hard those twilight at-bats could be for hitters.
Smith reflected fondly on his time with the Cardinals. Under manager Joe Torre, he said Torre didn’t say much he would simply hand Smith the ball and walk away. Later, Torre compared Smith to Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, saying they were the two pitchers he trusted enough to just give the ball to and leave the mound without further instructions. Smith also praised shortstop Ozzie Smith, who used to ride him about working too slowly between pitches. Lee joked about teasing Ozzie in return, but emphasized how often Ozzie bailed him out defensively, especially on balls hit up the middle that Lee assumed were base hits until he turned and saw Ozzie making the play.
Away from the mound, Smith has a deep interest in baseball history and keeps a room in his home dedicated to Negro Leagues memorabilia. He’s especially interested in researching pitcher Hilton Smith.
The interview also addressed his serious health issues. Smith was diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis, a condition caused by abnormal protein deposits that thicken the heart muscle and impair its function. He underwent a heart transplant in July 2024. Smith said his doctor told him he’d been given a “mulligan,” and he credited his wife, Dyana, for taking care of him through the ordeal, adding that he feels very good now.
Citing information from the Mayo Clinic, the article notes that amyloidosis is more common in men and that people of African descent appear to be at higher risk. Smith’s advice to those at risk is simple: get regular checkups, get blood work done, and listen to their wives.
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