Very sad news to give you as former Astros closer Dave Smith died of a heart attack on Wednesday. Smith was only 53 years old.I'm not an Astros fan, so I have to say that my foremost memories of Smith involved the Mets habitually owning him ... and Smith was the guy who gave up a walk off home run to Len Dykstra in Game 3 of the 1986 NLCS. But owning Smith was a commentary on the Mets and not on Smith, because he was a heck of a closer for the Astros. He wasn't your prototypical "blow you away" closer that we identify most often, but Smith had great stuff and had numbers that stacked up very well with the rest of the league from 1985-1990.
Memories of Smith paint him as a better person than player.
"He was probably one of the most giving people I ever met," former Astros reliever Charlie Kerfeld said of Smith via phone Wednesday. "He was probably known around the league as the best tipper around the league. (The news of his death) is a tough one. You ain't supposed to go this early."Very true. You're not supposed to reach that better place at the age of 53. But reach it he has. If you believe in a higher power, then he must have called for the righty.
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Thank you for your kind words about my brother, David. It was such a shock for our family and truly devastating. I love my brother so very much and am going to miss him so very much. I do know that he had a relationship with God and is now in heaven which gives me great comfort but it is still so difficult going through this loss. He was such a kind hearted person. Even when he was just a little boy he always had such a sweetness about him. Yes, he was an outstanding pitcher and will long be remembered for his talent but most importantly he will be remembered for the kind, compassionate, loving person that he was. He will always be such a special part of me.
Susan Smith Woodburn
Dave Smith was a hero in so many ways. He is survived by his wife Alexandra and their baby daughter Dakota. His two sons Kellen and Cameron, from a previous marriage, had the honor of knowing that their dad was a man of whom they can be justly proud. He lived life to the fullest, was a deserving role model to many, and will be sorely missed by family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing such a fine human being.