Former Braves World Series Champ Dead At 58

Sad news for baseball on Saturday, as former runner-up for National League Rookie of the Year and World Series winner Dwight Smith, has passed away at age 58. He died of congestive heart and lung failure.

We are saddened to learn of the death of Dwight Smith and send our condolences.

Selected by the Cubs in the 1984 June Draft, Smith roamed the outfield for five seasons with Chicago, helping the 1989 club reach the postseason and finishing 2nd in NL Rookie of the Year voting. pic.twitter.com/HShOnwWS2Z

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 22, 2022

Smith played eight years in the major leagues, getting off to an impressive start, with a 2nd place finish in Rookie of the Year balloting in 1989 with the Chicago Cubs, batting .324 with an .875 OPS. He spent his first five years on the North Side.

From there, the outfielder eventually made his way to the Atlanta Braves in 1995, where he was part of that world championship roster. 

He finished his 8-year career with a very solid .275 average, a .755 OPS, 46 home runs and 42 stolen bases. 

His son, Dwight Smith Jr., played four years in the big leagues, as recently as 2020. 

Our condolences go out to Smith's family and friends.