The native of Pikeville, Kentucky, was a right-handed pitcher who worked in 34 Major League Baseball (MLB) games (all in relief) for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Braves between 1962 and 1964.

Smith signed with the Dodgers in 1955 and rose slowly through their farm system until 1961, when he led the Double-A Southern Association in earned run average (2.09).

When MLB rosters expanded on September 1, 1962, Smith was added to the Dodgers' pitching staff for the stretch run as they fought furiously for the National League pennant with the San Francisco Giants.

[2] Smith started 1963 as a member of the Dodgers' early-season 28-man roster, but a poor performance on May 3 against the Pittsburgh Pirates[3] resulted in his demotion to Triple-A for the rest of the year.

The Braves then acquired him in the 1963 Rule 5 draft, and gave Smith his most extended MLB trial, using him in 22 games out of the bullpen during the 1964 season's first three months.