Zane Smith 1983 TCMA Durham Bulls

This 1983 TCMA Durham Bulls card is Zane Smith's first trading card.  When I posted my Zane Smith card lot in November, I mentioned I would go after this card. It was an easy and cheap find on eBay.  I really like it.  The Durham Bulls are a fairly notable minor league team, and I like the photo and design which is pretty simplistic.  Solid hair game as well.  Just showing off my latest addition to my Zane Smith collection which also includes an autograph. 

Zane Smith Card Lot

 Zane Smith is one of my all-time favorite baseball players.  No real reason other than he did pitch for the Braves and something just clicked for me.

This 1985 Fleer Major League Prospect is Zane's third card.  His first card is a 1983 TCMA Durham Bulls trading card.  I just purchased that one and I'll show it off once it comes in.

Smith was 39-58 with a 4.06 ERA in 6 seasons with the Braves.  This lot had 40 total cards that I purchased on eBay.  I won't show of every card.  From this lot I think this '87 Donruss is my favorite Braves card.

His best season in Atlanta was 1987 when he went 15-10 with a 4.09 ERA in 36 games.

I like that '88 Donruss card as well and the prominent Braves logo.

Smith was traded to the Expos for three players. none of which amounted to anything.  

He was 6-8 with a 2.79 ERA in 21 starts in Montreal.  Get to see those classic Expo blue jersey on that 1990 Score card.

He was then sent to Pittsburgh as part of a trade that netted Montreal a young Moises Alou.  I like that Upper Deck photo even though there's really not anything going on there.  He had his best season as a pro going 16-10 in 1991 with a 3.20 ERA.

He was 47-41 with the Buccos with a 3.35 ERA over 6 seasons.  That included those powerhouse teams of the early 90s that lost three straight National League Championship Series.  He was 1-4 in his playoff career with a 2.88 ERA in 25 innings.  I do not remember that Pittsburgh alternate jersey.

Zane on the run!  Maybe that was his only stolen base of his career.  One SB and never caught stealing.  A pitcher will take that.  He spent just one year with the Red Sox.  Zane Smith is a top-ten all-time favorite for me so this post was a lot of fun.

He would play one more season with the Pirates after leaving Boston. He finished with a 100-115 record and a 3.74 ERA over 13 seasons.

Zane Smith Autographed 1986 Topps Card

Zane Smith was a starting pitcher who didn't have a spectacular career but is a player I am a big fan of.  There is no rhyme or reason to why but he was an Atlanta Brave and Boston Red Sox which is obviously a good start and as a kid I don't doubt I thought his first name was cool.  I mailed off for his autograph but that is about all I remember.  I'm assuming I got the mailing address for the team via a Becket price guide or other sports magazine.  I must not of had many of his cards at the time because I really don't care for the '86 Topps cards.  I do like the photo on the card though and I love this card.  I think I  was in high school or junior college when I got this card and for me just the experience of getting an autograph is too cool.  I also got Harold Baines' autograph through the mail and will share that in another post.  

Smith was only 39-58 with a 4.06 ERA in 6 seasons with with Atlanta. Traded to Montreal he had a great year as a reliever before going back to starting and ended up with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1990 via trade.  He stayed there 6 seasons pitching in two National League Championship Series.  He finished his career with one poor season in Boston.   His 3.74 career ERA was pretty good considering he finished with a losing record.  He didn't strike out many but also didn't give up homeruns or walks which is always a big plus.