He made his Major League debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 10, 1941, and appeared in nine games as a catcher.

With the outbreak of World War II, he was drafted into the US Navy eventually serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations as a chief petty officer.

"While in his final playing season in the minors, the umpires failed to show up for a game due to transportation issues.

[3][4] Perhaps his biggest moments came as an umpire in the 1964 World Series between the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals... where he took a turn behind the plate in one of Bob Gibson's starts.

Smith ejected Clemente on a 3rd base sliding out call, that sent Roberto into a tizzy... the picture was published in Life Magazine.