Hilton Smith spent his career in the long shadow of the legendary Satchel Paige.
But when the details of Smith’s brilliant record were brought to light, the result was a place in Cooperstown.
On May 16, 1937, Smith, star hurler with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League, pitched a no-hitter against the Chicago American Giants. It was Smith’s first full season in the Negro Leagues, and he finished the campaign with an 11-3 record and 2.65 earned-run average in 12 official games started in NAL games.
“There was nobody better in this whole world (than Smith),” said Negro Leagues legend Buck O’Neil.
Born Feb. 27, 1907 in Giddings, Texas, Smith pitched for the Monroe Monarchs of the Negro Southern League from 1932-35 before joining Kansas City in 1937. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Smith used a variety of pitches – including a devastating fastball and knee-buckling curve – to neutralize batters.
During his no-hitter, only two balls were hit out of the infield.