Germany Smith

George J. "Germany" Smith (April 21, 1863 – December 1, 1927) was an American Major League Baseball player from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Primarily a shortstop, Smith played for five teams in 15 seasons. He is fourth all time in Major League Baseball in errors committed with 1,009.

Smith made his major league debut for Altoona Mountain City of the Union Association in 1884. After Altoona's team folded after just 25 games, he jumped to the Cleveland Blues of the National League. After the 1884 season, Cleveland then sold him, along with six other players, to the Brooklyn Bridegrooms for $4,000.

On June 17, 1885, Smith reportedly committed seven errors intentionally when his team decided to punish new pitcher Phenomenal Smith, losing the game 18–5. All 18 runs against the brash left-hander were unearned‚ due to a total of 14 Brooklyn "errors." "Phenomenal" gave himself his nickname before he joined the team‚ saying that he was so good that he did not need his teammates to win. The intentional misplays of his teammates caused club President Lynch to fine the guilty players $500 each‚ but he reluctantly agreed to release "Phenomenal" to ensure team harmony.

A reliable shortstop in the days when a fielding average below .900 could lead the league, Smith led American Association shortstops in 1887 with an .886 average. Smith returned to the Brooklyn in 1897, when the Reds and Grooms swapped shortstops, with Tommy Corcoran moving to Cincinnati.

Smith died at the age of 64 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, from injuries when struck by a motorist. He is interred at Calvary Cemetery in Altoona.