Akron Beacon Journal — Including his role as the leadoff hitter Tuesday night, outfielder Jordan Smith has played in 379 games for the RubberDucks.
He’s 26 years old on a team that the average player is just over 23. His first game at the Double-A level was the first game in Akron with the RubberDucks moniker, and none of the hitters in that game’s lineup are still on the team. Two of them — center fielder Tyler Naquin and shortstop Francisco Lindor — played in the World Series last year.
But Smith embraces his role as the RubberDucks’ veteran presence. He’s reached Triple-A in Columbus three times, but as he continues his fourth season primarily with the RubberDucks, he has unwavering optimism.
“I’m definitely enjoying myself. I’m still getting every day at-bats,” Smith said. “I can’t complain — the Indians have been nothing but great to me, so I’m very thankful.”
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Pat Dolan, the baseball coach at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, said Smith was never a particularly vocal leader. Even when Dolan recruited Smith as a three-sport athlete from Willmar High School, located just an hour from St. Cloud, Smith was more show than tell.
