Brett Seybert
Reporter
September 23, 2005
Milligan College Athletic Director Ray Smith was named the Appalachian League Manager of the Year following his Elizabethton Twins’ 2005 Appalachian League Championship on Sept. 3.
It was Smith’s 19th straight season at the helm for the Twins and marked his fifth Appalachian League title. It was also Smith’s fifth Manager of the Year award.
“That stuff’s overrated,” said Smith about the honor. “Our scouts do a great job of getting us good players. We’re not miracle workers.”
This success with the Twins comes at the heels of Milligan College’s sixth straight Appalachian Athletic Conference Duard Walker All-Sports Award.
“I don’t think that it’s any coincidence that (Smith’s) leadership has resulted in a high level of performance with our athletic teams. Winners are going to win whatever level they’re at,” said Milligan Dean of Students Mark Fox.
After growing up in San Diego, Calif. and receiving an education from the University of Oregon, Smith signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Twins in 1977.
Originally playing in the upper class-A California league, defensive struggles at shortstop found him demoted to the rookie-level Elizabethton Twins where he made the change to catcher.
Smith instantly took a liking to the East Tennessee area. “I was impressed by the beauty of the area, and I made a lot of friends there,” he said.
Eventually, Smith found himself playing in the major leagues for parts of three seasons with the Minnesota Twins, making his debut on April 9, 1981.
Smith’s run in Minnesota came to an end on Dec. 9, 1984, when he was traded to the San Diego Padres. After being released by the Padres in October 1985, Smith signed with the Oakland Athletics, where he spent his final days as a major league player.
When his playing career came to an end following his stint with the Athletics, Smith’s knowledge of the game led the Minnesota organization to offer him a managerial position. The Elizabethton team seemed to be a perfect fit, as Smith was acquainted with the area, and the short summer season provided him with more steadiness than he and his family had become accustomed to in his playing career.
“I didn’t want to work full time in baseball,” he said. “I had done enough traveling during my playing days, and I wanted to give my daughter the stability of being there for most of the year.”
Smith started out working for the Twins during the summer months, and the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation board the rest of the year. In 2001, he became the athletic director of Milligan College.
Smith said he hopes the success continues both with the Twins and at Milligan. He intends to return to both organizations next year.