Greatest 21 Days Baseball Profiles

Shad Smith didn't pitch in college until his senior year. Instead he played football, quarterback at Lamar University, The Shreveport Times wrote in 1994. His arm, though, ultimately got him signed by the Yankees as a pitcher, The Times wrote . "I still think I have that quarterback mentality of always being prepared, knowing the hitters, knowing the different bunt coverages, things like that," Smith told The Times . Smith's pro baseball career ultimately covered six seasons. He topped out at AAA . Smith's career began in 1990, signed by the Yankees as an undrafted free agent out of Lamar . In his 1988 campaign with the Lamar football team, Smith had thrown for 662 yards and seven touchdowns in the team's first three games. The Arizona Republic even called Smith a pro prospect ahead of a game at Arizona State. By 1990, Smith was with the Yankees. He played his first season at single-A Greensboro and high-A Fort Lauderdale. He saw 16 games, 13 starts at Gr...