Smith re-ups with Pirates

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — When Salisbury’s Brian Smith fills out his income tax return, he lists his occupation as professional baseball player.

But it’s a fact that Smith still has more in common with budget-conscious teachers, salesmen and factory workers than with Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi and A-Rod.

Smith could have become a free agent last Oct. 15, but re-signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates less than 24 hours before the deadline.

Smith had to swallow a little pride to re-up with the Pirates. After all, this was the team that gave him a chance to realize a dream and pitch in three big-league games in September of 2000. It is also the team that snubbed him last September after he turned in an exceptional season (3.69 ERA, 11 saves, 5 strikeouts for each walk) as Triple A Nashville’s closer.

It was an offer that Smith could have refused, but he felt that staying in black and gold was the thing to do. The only thing to do, really, because he’s got a family to consider.

“I told the Pirates I was disappointed I didn’t get called up and they explained they had roster problems,” said Smith. “They made me a fair offer that paid me what I thought I was worth.

“The big thing was that if I hadn’t signed, my health insurance would have expired on the 15th. That’s worth thousands of dollars and I’ve got a wife and a 3-month-old daughter to think about.

“You know, we got so many clothes when the baby was born it was unbelievable. But she’s already outgrown most of that stuff.”

Insurance worries? Baby clothing concerns? Pampers problems? Nope, this isn’t Derek Jeter we’re talking about.

But then, the Jeters and Giambis of the world probably don’t take the time to check in with their hometown papers, either. Smith always does that whenever something significant happens in his professional life.

Smith has pitched on mounds from Medicine Hat to Altoona, but his roots and heart are still here. He plans to settle in either Rowan or Cabarrus counties and help operate the Concord-based “Diamond Dreams” batting cages after the 2002 season.

Smith will be 30 this summer and jokes that he’s “no spring chicken.” But he’s confident there’s still enough time left in the hourglass for him to put together a meaningful career. He takes inspiration from folks like Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson, who are still dominant as they fastball their way toward 40.

Smith’s beaten odds most of his career. A good — but hardly can’t miss — pitcher at South Rowan High and for the Rowan Legion team, it wasn’t front-page news when he signed with UNC Wilmington. But Smith put together a career with the Seahawks strong enough to get the attention of Toronto, and the Jays took a flyer on him with a late-round pick in 1994.

Smith spent six decent-to-dynamite years in the Blue Jays’ farm system, as he battled through a variety of arm, elbow and shoulder miseries. Then he was offered a fresh start by the Pirates organization.

Smith will head to Florida on Feb. 9 for Spring Training as a longshot to make Pittsburgh’s opening-day roster. But he has a very real chance to be in PNCPark before the weather warms.

“I’m really excited about it and really think things are coming together,” Smith said. “I’m completely healthy for the first time since 1995. I’ve only been to Spring Training fully healthy twice in my career, and both of those years I got hurt during Spring Training.”

As he eagerly awaits Feb. 9, Smith reads the agate type in the local sports section as closely as most of us inspect our check stubs. Because any pitchers the Pirates unload and any arms they acquire over the next six weeks will have a direct bearing on his — and his family’s — future.

Smith admits the recent trade the Pirates made with the White Sox (Pittsburgh sent ace Todd Ritchie to Chicago for pitchers Kip Wells, Josh Fogg and Sean Lowe) wasn’t good news.

“That’s three for one,” said Smith. “Two of those guys (Lowe and Wells) are going to be on the staff and the other one (Fogg) will get an opportunity. Before that trade, I was thinking the Pirates had a ton of inexperienced guys and that I had a pretty good shot.”

Now Smith knows that barring a mind-boggling spring, he’ll be back at Nashville come April. He says he’s mentally prepared to handle that scenario.

“I can’t change my approach if I go back to Triple A,” he said. “I know what I have to do.

“One thing I’ve learned in this business is that I won’t be pitching just for the Pirates. I’ll also be pitching for the other 29 teams.”

Contact Mike London at 704-797-4259 or mlondon@salisburypost.com .