Vinnie Smith

Vincent Ambrose Smith (December 7, 1915 – December 14, 1979) was an American Major League Baseball player and umpire from Richmond, Virginia. During his playing days, the , Smith threw and batted right-handed.

Career Smith's playing career began at the Class D level of minor league baseball in 1938. He made his Major League debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 10, 1941, and appeared in nine games as a catcher. With the outbreak of World War II, he was drafted into the US Navy eventually serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations as a chief petty officer. He was the home plate umpire on May 26, 1959, when Harvey Haddix threw 12 perfect innings against the Milwaukee Braves, but lost the game in the 13th inning. Perhaps his biggest moments came as an umpire in the 1964 World Series between the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals... where he took a turn behind the plate in one of Bob Gibson's starts. He also was a fixture in the umpiring crews at Forbes Field - where he enjoyed a contentious relationship on the field with the great Roberto Clemente. Smith ejected Clemente on a 3rd base sliding out call, that sent Roberto into a tizzy... the picture was published in Life Magazine.

Death Smith died in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on December 14, 1979.