Lee Smith was one of baseball’s first modern closers, a “fireman” who specialized in earning the three most crucial outs in a ballgame. As the first pitcher start the ninth inning in over three quarters of his appearances during a season, Smith was often the only man standing between his team and defeat. The tall and powerfully built Smith cut an imposing figure on the mound, using his blazing 96 mile-per-hour fastball to devastating effect, collecting 478 saves in his 18 season career.

     Smith began his time in the Major Leagues with the Chicago Cubs in 1980. In 1984, Smith enjoyed the best season of his young career, saving 33 games while leading the Cubs to a division title and a rare appearance in the NLCS. The big man from the bayou earned the save in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Padres, but the strong bats of Tony Gwynn and Steve Garvey sunk the Cubs chances of ending the Curse of the Billy Goat.

     Smith joined the Red Sox in 1988, pitching for two and a half solid seasons in the American League before a fortuitous move to St. Louis came to pass. It was under the Gateway Arch that Smith truly came into his own, earning All-Star appearances in 1991, 1992, and 1993 while leading the National League in saves his first two seasons. The stopper retired in 1997 after two more All-Star appearances. At the time, he was the all-time leader in saves and one of the most feared pitchers of his era. Unfortunately for Smith, the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s dislike for closing pitchers conspired to keep him out of the Hall, although he consistently balloted around the 50% mark.

     This Rolaids Relief Man Award was presented to Smith in 1992, his second full season playing for Joe Torre in St. Louis. From 1976 to 2012, the Rolaids Relief Man Award honored the top relief pitcher in each league. Smith led the National League in saves with 43 closeouts during the ’92 campaign, five more than his next closest Senior Circuit competitor. This was the second consecutive Rolaids Relief Man Award for the seven-time All-Star, with his third coming in 1994. The award features a large, metal firefighter’s helmet displayed above a sturdy wooden pedestal. A plaque on the front of the helmet reads “Rolaids Relief Man” and shows the logo of both MLB and the MLBPA. A gold metal plaque on the pedestal reads “Lee Smith / National League / St. Louis Cardinals / 1992”. This award measures approximately 22 inches high and ten inches wide, with the helmet extending roughly 15 inches front to back. Smith signed the bottom of this trophy in silver marker, adding the inscription “My Rolaids Trophy”. This item comes with a LOA from Lee Smith himself.

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