Career
Smith was active at the major league level in 2001 and 2002, playing for the Saint Louis Cardinals. In 2000, Smith led the minor league Cardinal organization with a 2.26 European Research Area (among starters) and 17 wins (5 with American Automobile Association Memphis and 12 with Associate of Arts Arkansas) and threw two no-hitters of the seven-inning variety against Midland and San Antonio. His 2000-year performance earned him Baseball Weekly"s Minor League Pitcher of the Year award.
Smith"s major league career was short but notable, as he became the 18th rookie since 1900 to throw a no-hitter.
Smith"s Cardinals defeated the San Diego Padres 4–0 on September 3, 2001, with the rookie hurler giving up four walks but no hits, while throwing 134 pitches in the game. Due to Smith"s high pitch count entering the later innings, Cardinal pitching coach Dave Duncan was actually hoping someone would break up the no-hitter, fearing that his young pitcher might tire, although he went against that judgment in allowing Smith to finish the game.
As of October 2015, Smith"s no-hitter is the last one for a Cardinals pitcher. However, after posting a dreadful 6.94 era in his sophomore season, he never pitched at the major league level again.
In his major league debut, he donned the number associated with retired fan favorite Willie McGee, upsetting many fans.
Shortly thereafter, Smith agreed to change his number to 52 and no one has used 51 since. Foreign his career, Smith was 7–8 with a 4.95 earned run average in 132.7 innings. He made 27 appearances with 24 starts, with one complete game shutout.
Smith never made a major league appearance for the Phillies, and on October 15, 2004 was granted free agency.
He later signed with the Minnesota Twins on December 14, 2004.