Excerpt from the Dayton Daily News
Entering the 2021 season, only 50 pitchers in Major League Baseball history had made 800 appearances in their career. On that list are Hall of Famer pitchers like Mariano Rivera (1,115), Dennis Eckersley (1,071), Cy Young (906) and Nolan Ryan (807).
The 51st player to join that exclusive club, Joe Smith, is an Ohio native who pitched three seasons at Wright State. He reached the milestone when he pitched 2/3 of an inning Friday for the Houston Astros in a 7-5 loss to the Texas Rangers. It was the 800th career appearance in his 14-year career.
“I think I got some time left,” Smith told reporters Saturday, “so hopefully we can we keep climbing that list. I just enjoy playing the game. I’m thankful that I’m still doing it. As a kid, having shoulder surgery when I was 16 years old and walking on at Wright State and getting cut my freshman year and coming back out 800 appearances later in the big leagues it’s something I’m very proud of.”
Smith, 37, moved into a tie with Francisco Cordero for 50th-most appearances in big-league history. Next on the list is Hall of Famer Walter Johnson (802).
Smith leads all active pitchers in appearances. Only three other active pitchers have more than 700: Tyler Clippard (777), , of the Arizona Diamondbacks; Sergio Romo (750), of the Oakland Athletics; and Joakim Soria (741), of the Diamondbacks.
