KC Royals Immaculate Grid Cheat Codes: Lonnie Smith

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Welcome to the first installment of Kings of Kauffman writer Patrick Glancy's new series focusing on the popular Immaculate Grid game and former KC Royals players.

The Immaculate Grid game became popular in the baseball world this summer, and even if the initial buzz may have died down a bit, I'm guessing quite a few of our Kings of Kauffman readers still play it. Whether you're killing some down time at work or trying to beat your friends' scores, it's the perfect diversion for baseball junkies who enjoy the history section at Kings of Kauffman, or baseball in general. And if you're anything like me, your eyes light up when you see the KC Royals are one of the daily categories.

We're looking for KC Royals who got around and got stuff done

Success in the Grid comes down to three main factors: obscurity, statistical milestones, and, of course, a long list of different teams on the back of players' baseball cards. That's where we come in. This series will help familiarize Kings of Kauffman readers with often-overlooked Royals who recorded landmark performances and, most importantly, have a large and varied collection of major league uniforms in their closets. Stick with us and our series and your rarity scores will be plummeting in no time at all.

First up is Lonnie Smith, a key member of the 1985 World Series championship team and one of the most fascinating players to ever put on a powder blue Royals uniform.

Let's get this new Kings of Kauffman series going...

Lonnie Smith's time with the Royals did not lack drama

The St. Louis Cardinals traded Lonnie Smith to the Royals May 17, 1985. Forming a potent combination of speed and on-base percentage at the top of the lineup with Willie Wilson, Smith played a pivotal role in the Royals' championship run, en route to becoming the first player in major league history to play for both World Series participants in the same season.

In 120 games with Kansas City, he put up a .321 OBP with six home runs, 41 RBIs, 92 runs, 25 doubles, six triples, and 40 stolen bases. He topped it off with a .333/.400/.441 slash line, nine hits, four RBIs, four runs, three doubles, and two stolen bases against his former team in the World Series.

Despite his contribution to the '85 championship run, 1986 was Smith's best season in Kansas City. The left fielder slashed .287/.357/.411 with eight home runs, 44 RBIs, 80 runs, 25 doubles, seven triples, 26 stolen bases, and a 108 OPS+. Unfortunately, the situation in Kansas City soured the following season.

Smith got sideways with management, primarily general manager John Schuerholz, and he played only 48 games in 1987. The reasons behind the falling out are not entirely clear, but it was reported the two clashed over drug testing (Smith had previously gone through rehabilitation as a Cardinal), and it was also reported Smith believed Schuerholz lowballed him on a contract offer.

But that's where the story gets bonkers. Entering free agency after the 1987 season, Smith found no suitors. He reportedly reacted in two ways: he believed Schuerholz was "bad-mouthing" him and, planning to murder Schuerholz, bought a pistol. Fortunately, Braves GM Bobby Cox called with a job offer and Smith abandoned his reported plan.

Filling in the rest of Lonnie Smith's resume

Smith had a brief resurgence with the Braves, finishing 11th in the National League MVP race in 1989 and starting regularly during Atlanta's 1991 World Series run. He played extremely well in the Fall Classic that season, smacking three home runs, but he is probably best remembered for the baserunning blunder he made in Game 7 when he should have scored from first on Terry Pendleton's double.

Perhaps the most surreal aspect of his time in Atlanta was seeing him celebrate with Schuerholz on the field when the Braves clinched the NL pennant. Schuerholz jumped from Kansas City to Atlanta in 1990, becoming the architect behind the Braves' dominant run in the '90s, and luckily, the two were apparently able to coexist much better the second time around.

Smith never won a title with Atlanta, but he had plenty of October success earlier in his career. He won his first World Series ring in 1980 with the Phillies (against the Royals), and his second in 1982 with the Cardinals. Smith made his lone All-Star appearance that season and finished second in the NL MVP vote.

Smith finished his career primarily as a pinch-runner with the Pirates and Orioles, making him a viable option for six teams on the Immaculate Grid. He is also a strong answer for 40+ stolen bases (KC, Philadelphia, St. Louis), a .300 batting average (Philadelphia, St. Louis, Atlanta), and 100+ runs (St. Louis).

His most noteworthy accomplishment is unlikely to ever appear on the Grid, however, because so few players have ever achieved it. But it's still fun trivia — Smith is the first player to win three World Series with three different teams in the same decade.

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We're looking for KC Royals who got around and got stuff done

Lonnie Smith's time with the Royals did not lack drama

Filling in the rest of Lonnie Smith's resume

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