Cats Name Dan Smith Pitching Coach
Published on December 12, 2002 under North American League (NAmL)
Fort Worth Cats News Release
The Fort Worth Cats announced today that Dan Smith will serve as the team's pitching coach in 2003. Smith comes to the Cats after spending the last two seasons as the pitching coach with the St. Paul Saints. He took over as the Saints' pitching coach mid-way through the 2001 season. Smith retired as a player after starting 10 games with St. Paul in 2001.
"I've known Dan since his college days," said Cats president Marty Scott. "Not far removed as a player, Dan has developed into one of the better pitching coaches around."
Originally selected by the Texas Rangers in the first round (16th overall) of the 1990 June draft, Smith showed promise, but battled arm trouble throughout his career. In 1995, Smith missed the entire season with a left elbow injury. It stemmed from a fractured elbow bone Smith suffered when he was hit by a line drive off the bat of Will Clark during batting practice in spring training.
In 1994, after just one appearance in triple-A, Smith was recalled to Texas. He earned his first major league win June 8, 1994 vs. New York.
In 1992, Smith started the season at Class AA Tulsa in the Texas League and was named the Texas League Pitcher of the Year. He led the league in wins, ERA, batting average against and shutouts. He was named to Baseball America's AA All-Star team and Rangers' minor league Player of the Year. Smith made his major league debut Sept. 12, 1992 at Toronto, and lost to the Blue Jays when he allowed four runs on eight hits in 5.1 innings.
Smith amassed a 30-12 collegiate record at Creighton University. He set school records for wins, innings and strikeouts his senior season and was named first team All-American by Baseball America. Smith was the Minnesota High School Player of the Year following his senior season at Apple Valley H.S. He was named High School All-American and pitched for Team USA in summer 1989.
Smith and his wife, Cheryl, live in Flower Mound, Texas with their two sons, Tyler and Jackson.
North American League Stories from December 12, 2002
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