[1][2] Smith entered the Negro Leagues in 1943, playing in part of two seasons for the Cleveland Buckeyes and the Pittsburgh Crawfords before joining the Birmingham Black Barons in 1945.

He hit a .284 batting average for Birmingham during the first half of the season, but jumped to the Mexico City Reds of the Mexican League for the rest of the year.

Overall, he was a .305 hitter (788-for-2584), including 165 doubles, 55 triples, 45 home runs, and a .454 slugging percentage in 653 games played.

[2][5] After the end of his baseball career, Smith worked 21 years at Amatarp, General Cable Corporation, in St. Louis, Missouri.

He also coached baseball at the American Legion, in Paris, Illinois, and for a little league team in Terre Haute, Indiana.