Tal Smith
Encyclopedia
Talbot Merton Smith is an American
former professional baseball
executive who has served in high baseball operations positions — including general manager
and club president — as well as the founder of a firm that advises Major League Baseball
teams on salary arbitration
cases.
A veteran of 54 years in baseball, he most recently served as president of baseball operations for the Houston Astros
from November 22, 1994, through November 27, 2011 — completing his 35th season with the Astros over three separate terms; he received a lifetime achievement award in 2005. He is the father of baseball executive Randy Smith
.
, serving in the United States Air Force
, and a brief time as a sportswriter, Tal Smith began his baseball career in the front office of the Cincinnati Reds
as a protégé of Gabe Paul
, their general manager
from 1951–1960. He moved with Paul to Houston when the Astros were founded (as the Colt .45s) at the close of the 1960
baseball campaign. While Paul stayed only a few months in Texas before resigning to return to Ohio
as front-office boss of the Cleveland Indians
, Smith remained with Houston as the team's farm system director, then assistant to the president. He was promoted to vice president, player personnel after the 1965
season.
When Paul surfaced as a member of George Steinbrenner
's syndicate, which purchased the New York Yankees
early in 1973
, he hired Smith away from the Astros as executive vice president and head of the Yankees baseball operations department. Smith spent 2½ seasons as a key part of the management team that built the Yankees back into a league power. But when the chance came to become the general manager
of the Astros on August 7, 1975
, Smith accepted it.
. Along the way, Smith was named team president in 1976 and helped resolve the club's ownership problem when he helped to convince Dr. John McMullen
, a limited partner in the Yankees, to sell his shares there and become the owner of the Astros.
However, in a move that shocked baseball, McMullen fired Smith as his general manager only days after the team's successful 1980 season. McMullen's motive was never fully explained, and Smith, rather than seeking another front-office job in the game, formed his own consulting firm (Tal Smith Enterprises) to advise MLB clubs on how best to handle salary arbitration cases with their players. His firm became extremely successful over the next 15 years.
), as president of baseball operations. On August 27, 2007, Smith was named acting GM after the firing of Tim Purpura
. He re-assumed his previous position upon the appointment of Ed Wade
as fulltime GM on September 21, 2007. Both Wade and Smith were dismissed by the team's new owner, Houston businessman Jim Crane
, when he assumed control of the Astros late in November of 2011. According to news reports at the time, Smith still heads Tal Smith Enterprises.
Smith was a vital aide to McLane in the design of the Astros' ballpark, Minute Maid Park
. The ballpark's field dimensions and unique angles were designed with Smith's input and assistance. Center field boasts a 10 degree hill named "Tal's Hill" as a tribute to his creativity and contribution to the Minute Maid Park project. Smith had a similar role in the construction of the Astros first stadium, the Astrodome, in 1963 when was assistant to the president of the Houston Sports Association. The Astrodome changed the face of stadiums and the city of Houston
. When the natural grass failed to thrive under the Astrodome's roof, Smith was responsible for finding an alternative playing surface. This led to the installation of Astroturf
, a synthetic turf that became widely used in stadiums throughout the country.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
executive who has served in high baseball operations positions — including general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
and club president — as well as the founder of a firm that advises Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
teams on salary arbitration
Major League Baseball transactions
Major League Baseball transactions are changes made to the roster of a major league team during or after the season. They may include waiving, releasing, and trading players, as well as assigning players to minor league teams.-25-man and 40-man rosters:...
cases.
A veteran of 54 years in baseball, he most recently served as president of baseball operations for the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
from November 22, 1994, through November 27, 2011 — completing his 35th season with the Astros over three separate terms; he received a lifetime achievement award in 2005. He is the father of baseball executive Randy Smith
Randy Smith (baseball)
Randall Edward Smith was born June 15, 1963 in Houston, Texas. He is an executive in Major League Baseball and has served as general manager of the San Diego Padres and the Detroit Tigers and Assistant General Manager for the Colorado Rockies...
.
Early Colt .45s/Astros career
After attending Culver Military Academy and Duke UniversityDuke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
, serving in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, and a brief time as a sportswriter, Tal Smith began his baseball career in the front office of the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
as a protégé of Gabe Paul
Gabe Paul
Gabriel Howard Paul was an American executive in Major League Baseball who served as general manager of three teams and, perhaps most famously, as president of the New York Yankees under George Steinbrenner during the 1970s....
, their general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
from 1951–1960. He moved with Paul to Houston when the Astros were founded (as the Colt .45s) at the close of the 1960
1960 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over New York Yankees ; Bobby Richardson, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5-3*All-Star Game , July 13 at Yankee Stadium: National League, 6-0...
baseball campaign. While Paul stayed only a few months in Texas before resigning to return to Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
as front-office boss of the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, Smith remained with Houston as the team's farm system director, then assistant to the president. He was promoted to vice president, player personnel after the 1965
1965 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Minnesota Twins ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 13 at Metropolitan Stadium: National League, 6-5; Juan Marichal, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Arizona State...
season.
When Paul surfaced as a member of George Steinbrenner
George Steinbrenner
George Michael Steinbrenner III was an American businessman who was the principal owner and managing partner of Major League Baseball's New York Yankees. During Steinbrenner's 37-year ownership from 1973 to his death in July 2010, the longest in club history, the Yankees earned seven World Series...
's syndicate, which purchased the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
early in 1973
1973 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Oakland Athletics over New York Mets ; Reggie Jackson, MVP*All-Star Game, July 24 at Royals Stadium: National League, 7–1; Bobby Bonds, MVP-Other champions:...
, he hired Smith away from the Astros as executive vice president and head of the Yankees baseball operations department. Smith spent 2½ seasons as a key part of the management team that built the Yankees back into a league power. But when the chance came to become the general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
of the Astros on August 7, 1975
1975 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Boston Red Sox ; Pete Rose, MVP*All-Star Game, July 15 at County Stadium: National League, 6-3; Bill Madlock and Jon Matlack, MVPs-Other champions:...
, Smith accepted it.
Return to Houston as general manager
Houston was in last place in the National League West Division when Smith assumed the reins, but under his leadership, the team rebuilt itself into contenders, winning its first division title in 19801980 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:World Series: Philadelphia Phillies over Kansas City Royals ; Mike Schmidt, MVP*American League Championship Series: Frank White, MVP*National League Championship Series Manny Trillo, MVP...
. Along the way, Smith was named team president in 1976 and helped resolve the club's ownership problem when he helped to convince Dr. John McMullen
John McMullen (engineer)
John J. McMullen, Ph.D was a naval architect and marine engineer, and former owner of the New Jersey Devils and Houston Astros. He founded the engineering firm John J...
, a limited partner in the Yankees, to sell his shares there and become the owner of the Astros.
However, in a move that shocked baseball, McMullen fired Smith as his general manager only days after the team's successful 1980 season. McMullen's motive was never fully explained, and Smith, rather than seeking another front-office job in the game, formed his own consulting firm (Tal Smith Enterprises) to advise MLB clubs on how best to handle salary arbitration cases with their players. His firm became extremely successful over the next 15 years.
Third term in Astros' front office
Thus it was also a surprise, in November 1994, when Smith returned to the Astros (under the club's then-owner Drayton McLane, Jr.Drayton McLane, Jr.
Drayton McLane, Jr. is an American entrepreneur. He is chairman of the McLane Group, a high technology firm. He was, until 1990, the CEO of the McLane Company, a grocery and food service warehouse, supply, and logistics firm, and was, from 1993 until 2011, the chairman and CEO of the Major League...
), as president of baseball operations. On August 27, 2007, Smith was named acting GM after the firing of Tim Purpura
Tim Purpura
Tim Purpura is a former General Manager of the Houston Astros Major League Baseball team. He was with the club from 2005 to 2007.-Biography:...
. He re-assumed his previous position upon the appointment of Ed Wade
Ed Wade
Ed Wade is the former General Manager of the Houston Astros.-Early career in baseball:Wade started his baseball career in 1977 as an intern in the Phillies public relations department. In 1977, he was named public relations assistant for the Astros and was promoted to public relations director in...
as fulltime GM on September 21, 2007. Both Wade and Smith were dismissed by the team's new owner, Houston businessman Jim Crane
Jim Crane
James Robert "Jim" Crane is a businessman from Houston, Texas. Crane is chairman and chief executive of Crane Capital Group and he is also the owner and chairman of the MLB team Houston Astros -Early life and education:...
, when he assumed control of the Astros late in November of 2011. According to news reports at the time, Smith still heads Tal Smith Enterprises.
Smith was a vital aide to McLane in the design of the Astros' ballpark, Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park is a ballpark in Downtown Houston, Texas, United States that opened in 2000 to house the Major League Baseball Houston Astros....
. The ballpark's field dimensions and unique angles were designed with Smith's input and assistance. Center field boasts a 10 degree hill named "Tal's Hill" as a tribute to his creativity and contribution to the Minute Maid Park project. Smith had a similar role in the construction of the Astros first stadium, the Astrodome, in 1963 when was assistant to the president of the Houston Sports Association. The Astrodome changed the face of stadiums and the city of Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
. When the natural grass failed to thrive under the Astrodome's roof, Smith was responsible for finding an alternative playing surface. This led to the installation of Astroturf
AstroTurf
AstroTurf is a brand of artificial turf. Although the term is a registered trademark, it is sometimes used as a generic description of any kind of artificial turf. The original AstroTurf product was a short pile synthetic turf while the current products incorporate modern features such as...
, a synthetic turf that became widely used in stadiums throughout the country.