Lee Smith was a dominant Cubs closer from 1980 through 1987. This year he was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and inducted in a ceremony last month.
The Cubs will honor Smith by holding Lee Smith Day today at Wrigley Field. It’s 39 years to the day from his major-league debut, an inning of scoreless relief September 1, 1980 against the Atlanta Braves.
There will be a pregame ceremony on the field at Wrigley beginning at about 12:40 p.m. CT, so if you’re going to the game, try to make it by then so you don’t miss the ceremony. Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts and broadcaster Len Kasper will make remarks, as will Smith.
The Cubs will honor Smith by flying a flag above Wrigley Field featuring Smith’s last name and “180” for the remainder of the season to commemorate his 180 saves as a Cub and will also unveil a new art installation dedicated to Smith, which will be located in the main concourse near the Marquee Gate at Wrigley.
Smith also will throw a ceremonial first pitch and lead the seventh-inning stretch with his family. Smith’s Hall of Fame plaque will be on display at Wrigley Field until the seventh inning.
The Lee Smith ceremony will be carried by NBC Sports Chicago as part of its pregame coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m. CT.